February 13, 2020
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Hauser and Wirth debuts the first LA solo exhibition for NY-based Swiss artist, Nicolas Party. The paintings are saturated and create a dreamscape of natural elements with portraiture. There is a captivating nuance of sub-genre that is exuded through the work, it lingers within and around the perimeter of still life painting while permeating the historic lineage of botanical and zoological study.
Sottobosco is a type of still life that was birthed during the many scientific developments of the 17th century Dutch Golden age. Party adapts this practice into an exhibition that remains potent in the way it stays within the heritage of Dutch still life, while also cultivating a contrast that highlights other aspects of nature and evolution.
The bright hues invite us into this inner dimension of play, of dreaming and of architecting new ways of looking and feeling. His works create this specific visual decadence imbued with a temperament of surrealist tones. The overall body of work reminds us what it means to examine, to see and to be; Party has architected a magnetizing horizon of visual references that remind us the importance of dreaming and observing.