Swiss artist Nicolas Party’s works have achieved great success in recent years at auctions. He uses pastels to create landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, with soft and bright color combinations, creating a dreamy and harmonious world.
This June, HAUSER & WIRTH will bring the artist’s first Hong Kong exhibition “Red Forest” to the forefront. Party takes inspiration from the five elements of “metal, wood, water, fire, earth” in Chinese philosophy, showcasing the complex and inseparable connection between humans and nature.
The exhibition’s series of works titled “Red Forest” depicts raging forest fires, representing the artist’s new exploration of the historical classic theme of landscape painting in the midst of the climate crisis. Additionally, the artist connects the concept from “Purple Twilight” with the purple-red sky seen during the forest fires, prompting viewers to reflect on the natural world, as well as our relationship with the environment.
Apart from the “Red Forest,” Party’s new portrait series depicts a range of characters wearing outer space meteorites, reminiscent of metallic elements. The numerous cracks in the stones represent the erosion they have endured, contrasting sharply with the humans carrying the stones. In another series, “Reflection in Water,” the clouds, water, and reflections in the painting all symbolize a sense of eternity, or the constant passage of time.
In Chinese philosophy, the five elements are considered the basic elements of the universe. Wood generates fire, fire produces earth, earth bears metal, metal carries water, water nourishes wood; at the same time, fire melts metal, metal penetrates wood, wood restrains earth, earth absorbs water, water extinguishes fire. Through these relationships of generation and restraint, the world is formed and constantly changing. Party incorporates these theories into their artwork, deepening the theme of landscapes.
Artists have proposed that the best landscape paintings not only contain thoughts but also raise questions to the audience. In this exhibition, Party explores and utilizes the five elements while also prompting everyone to contemplate the delicate relationship between humans and nature. It is definitely worth seeing in person!
“Nicolas Party: Red Forest”
Date: June 30 to September 24, 2022 (Closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: HAUSER & WIRTH, 15-16/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
Image source: HAUSER & WIRTH
