NATURE MORTE

April 8 – May 16th, 2021

OPENING: Thursday, April 8th from 6-8pm
312 Bowery New York, NY 10012

For our yearly thematic group exhibition we present “Nature Morte”, a 60-artist still life show with an environmental edge. Using the entire exhibition space and both showroom and office, this mega-show includes a total transformation of the gallery space into a dark concrete and forest environment.

Mainly comprising still life works, the exhibition chooses the French appellation for the pictorial genre to foreground literal “dead nature”, tracing themes of the global environmental crisis with subject matter ranging from turgid bouquets (Ivan Seal) and Holbein-inspired skulls (Robert Lazzarini) to a roasted duck on a hook (Stephanie H. Shih) and a melting garbage snowman (Theo A. Rosenblum and Chelsea Seltzer).

Including painting, sculpture, works on paper and photography, Nature Morte features 60 artists from renowned to unknown whose works challenge the traditional elements of still life, leading viewers into the uncharted territory of our dark concrete forest. In 2021 the still life genre is impacted by not just the transience of life but by the impending global catastrophe that promises the end of all life.

Responding to the climate crisis in disparate ways, the artists in Nature Morte depict disease, death and dark nature—the animals are taxidermied and the fruits inedible. From a delicate dead sparrow by Allison Schulnik to a gigantic bronze CGI lion by Austin Lee; a forest fire by Aaron Elvis Jupin to a highway overpass by Adam de Boer; even the lively-looking works have a whiff of death to them, like Rosson Crow’s vibrant jungle laced with tar pits.

When pondering death in the 17th century, audiences looked at skulls, blown out candles, dead animals, flowers and fruits—and bubbles for some reason. Today we gaze upon much of the same, plus melting mini-fridges, sliced up butterflies, flooding, cigarette butts and mylar balloons. Collectively, the works in Nature Morte contemplate death at a time when humanity’s doom is realistically into view; life is fleeting as you see a blown out candle or life is fleeting as you see melting ice sheet chunks the size of Manhattan. All these artists have one eye on the death of the natural world—the extinction of the human race, even—whether painting a shoe or a skull.

An opening event will be held on Thursday, April 8th from 6 to 8pm following all appropriate COVID-19 precautions.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue.

Email raymond@theholenyc.com for more information.

Image above: Matthew Hansel “Those Who Never Set Their Table Never Dine Alone”, 2021, 60 x 48 inches oil on canvas

Featuring: Aaron Elvis Jupin, Adam de Boer, Adam Parker Smith, Aleksandra Waliszewska, Allison Schulnik, Amanda C. Baldwin, Aurel Schmidt, Austin Lee, Barry McGee, Botond Keresztesi, Bryant Girsch, Charline Tyberghein, Chason Matthams, Chris Johanson, Christian Rex Van Minnen, Dan Attoe, Daniel Gordon, David Benjamin Sherry, Donald Baechler, Emily Mae Smith, Eric Yahnker, Fernando Botero, Gao Hang, Ginny Casey, Guy Yanai, Henry Gunderson, Henry Hudson, Holly Coulis, Ivan Seal, James Ulmer, Jon Young, Jonathan Chapline, Josh Smith, Kevin Christy, Koichi Sato, Laurens Legiers, Lucia Love, Lydia Blakeley, Mark Posey, Matthew F. Fisher, Matthew Hansel, Molly Greene, Nick Dahlen, Nicolas Party, Oliver Clegg, Paul Wackers, Pedro Pedro, Robert Lazzarini, Rosson Crow, Roxanne Jackson with Jefferson Nelson, Royal Jarmon, Ryan Travis Christian, Samantha Rosenwald, Sean Landers, Stephanie H. Shih, Stevie Dix, Taylor McKimens, Theo A. Rosenblum and Chelsea Seltzer, Thomas Lerooy, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Ulala Imai, Valerie Hegarty

Adam Parker Smith, Narcissit (Pink), 2021. Resin, urethane, polished stainless steel and mirror. 80 x 44 x 36 inches, 203 x 112 x 91 cm.

Chason Matthams, Rainbow Balloon 4 (Blue with Spectrum Meld) with Thomas Moran’s “Rainbow over the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,” 2019. Acrylic and oil on linen over panel. 12 x 16 inches, 31 x 41 cm.

Josh Smith, Small Reaper, 2019. Oil on canvas in artist’s frame. 7 x 5 inches, 18 x 12 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and David Benrimon Fine Art.

Aurel Schmidt, Oh My Gods, 2011-2021. Colored pencil and pencil on paper. 49 x 39 inches, 125 x 99 cm.

Robert Lazzarini, Skull (iii), 2000. Resin, bone, pigment. 4 x 14 x 6 inches, 10 x 36 x 15 cm.

Nicolas Party, Two Pears, 2017. Soft pastel on pastel card. Framed: 24.8 x 25 x 1.5 inches, 63 x 63.5 x 3.8 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and David Benrimon Fine Art.

Ryan Travis Christian, CT ACID, 2020. Graphite on paper. 10.5 x 8.35 inches, 27 x 21 cm. Framed: 17.5 x 15.25 inches, 46 x 39 cm.

Fernando Botero, Still Life with Green Bottle (Natura Morta con Bottiglia Verde), 2002. Watercolor on paper. 32.35 x 35.75 inches. Courtesy of the Artist and David Benrimon Fine Art.

Jonathan Chapline, Out of Office (Away from Keyboard), 2019. Acrylic and flashe on panel. 16 x 20 inches, 41 x 51 cm.

Donald Baechler, The Variable Spare Paradox, 2011. Bronze. 43 x 28 x 3.5 inches, 109 x 71 x 9 cm. Edition 4 of 8.

Christian Van Minnen, Google Antibodies and the Golden Antigen, 2021. Oil on linen. 30 x 48 inches, 76 x 122 cm.

Aleksandra Waliszewska, Untitled (Scull), 2011-2013. Mixed media on cardboard. 14 x 10 inches, 35 x 25 cm. Framed: 18 x 14 inches, 46 x 36 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Galeria LETO.

Aleksandra Waliszewska, Untitled (Scull), 2012-2014. Mixed media on cardboard. 14 x 10 inches, 35 x 25  cm. Framed: 18 x 14 inches, 46 x 36 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Galeria LETO.

Aleksandra Waliszewska, Untitled (Scull and worms), 2010-2012. Mixed media on cardboard, 14 x 10 inches, 35 x 25 cm. Framed: 18 x 14 inches, 46 x 36 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Galeria LETO.

Matthew Hansel, Those Who Never Set Their Table, Never Dine Alone, 2021. Oil on canvas. 60 x 48 inches, 152 x 122 cm.

Stephanie H. Shih, Window (Roast Duck, Cutting Board, Cleaver), 2021. Ceramic, wood, stainless steel, epoxy resin. Duck and meat hook: 20 x 9 x 4 inches, 51 x 23 x 10 cm. Cutting board and cleaver: 3 x 20 x 14 inches, 8 x 20 x 36 cm.

Allison Schulnik, Dead Finch, 2019. Oil on canvas stretched over panel. 11 x 14 inches, 28 x 35.5 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and PPOW Gallery.

Allison Schulnik, Snake Bowl & Cricket, 2021. Oil on canvas. 67 x 59, 170 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and PPOW Gallery.

Thomas Lerooy, Broken, 2019. Oil on canvas with frame. 15 x 14.75 inches, 38.5 x 37.5 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Rodolphe Janssen.

Stevie Dix, Still Life with Tabi Boots 1, 2021. Oil and beeswax on canvas in artist frame. 31 x 27 x 1.5 inches, 78 x 68 x 3.5 cm.

Stevie Dix, Still Life with Tabi Boots 2, 2021. Oil and beeswax on canvas in artist frame. 23 x 19 x 1.5 inches, 58 x 48 x 3.5 cm.

Stevie Dix, Still Life with Tabi Boots 3, 2021. Oil and beeswax on linen in artist frame. 19 x 23 x 1.5 inches, 48 x 58 x 3.5 cm.

Ivan Seal, Acid Ouija Wido Lambente Ina Windo, 2021. Oil on canvas. 67 x 69 inches, 170 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Carl Freedman Gallery.

Ivan Seal, Bespoke Chelith, 2019. Oil on canvas. 59 x 51 inches, 150 x 130 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Carl Freedman Gallery.

Holly Coulis, Lemon Eyes, 2021. Gouache on Arches paper. 18 x 24 inches, 46 x 61 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Klaus Von Nichtssagend.

Pedro Pedro, Decorative Plate with Tea Bag, Pear, and Knife, 2021. Acrylic and textile paint on linen. 35 x 42 inches, 89 x 107 cm.

Barry McGee, Untitled, 2021. Acrylic on wood panel; 3 elements. 31 x 24.5 inches, 79 x 62 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Ratio3.

Barry McGee, Untitled, 2015-2020. Ceramic, paint, paper maché, acrylic on paper maché, and spray paint on paper maché over ceramic. Courtesy of the Artist and Ratio3.

Paul Wackers, Mind the Flower Pots, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 40 inches, 122 x 102 cm.

Chris Johanson, This Is Something I Understand, 2016. Acrylic and household paint on found wood. 45 x 54 inches, 114 x 137 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash.

Botond Keresztesi, Silver Line, 2021. Acrylic and oil on canvas. 47 x 39 inches, 120 x 100 cm.

Botond Keresztesi, Gothic Flowers, 2021. Acrylic and oil on canvas. 47 x 39 inches, 120 x 100 cm.

Samantha Rosenwald, Intellectual Property, 2021. Colored pencil on canvas. 36 x 28 inches, 91 x 71 cm.

Austin Lee, Lion & Girl, 2020. Aluminum and automotive paint. Lion: 54 x 27 x 81 inches, 137 x 68 x 205 cm. Girl: 80 x 55 x 40 inches, 203 x 140 x 100 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Carl Kostyál Gallery.

Gao Hang, The Plant is Poisonous, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 16 x 12 inches, 38 x 30 cm.

Gao Hang, Fruits Plant, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 36 x 36 inches, 90 x 90 cm.

Jon Young, Next Exit, 2021. Iridescent fabric, wood, batting, and sand from Historic Route 66 in Eureka, MO. 59 x 68 x 8.5 inches, 150 x 174 x 22 cm.

Kevin Christy, Sebastian 2, 2021. Oil on canvas with frame. 21.5 x 17.5 x 1.5 inches, 54.5 x 44.5 x 4 cm.

Mark Posey, Brick Table, 2019. Acrylic, oil, spray on panel. 50 x 44 inches, 127 x 112 cm.

Nick Dahlen, Bag of Goods, 2021. Acrylic latex. 50 x 50 inches, 127 x 127 cm.

James Ulmer, Assorted Fruits, 2020. Flashe on canvas. 48 x 40 inches, 122 x 103 cm.

Royal Jarmon, Little Lit, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 36 x 32 inches, 91 x 81 cm.

David Sherry, Touched by the Hand of God, 2010. C-print with artist frame. 50 x 65 inches, 127 x 165 cm.

Guy Yanai, Lost Friend Plant, 2019. Oil on canvas. 16 x 12 inches, 41 x 30 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Miles McEnery Gallery.

Guy Yanai, European Plant, 2019. Oil on canvas. 16 x 12 inches, 41 x 30 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Miles McEnery Gallery.

Guy Yanai, Old Banana, 2019. Oil on canvas. 16 x 12 inches, 41 x 30 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Miles McEnery Gallery.

Ulala Imai, Butter Toast, 2021. Oil on canvas. 8.5 x 11 inches, 22 x 27.3 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Nonaka-Hill.

Ulala Imai, Afternoon in the Kitchen, 2021. Oil on canvas. 31.5 x 39.5 inches, 80 x 100 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Nonaka-Hill.

Amanda Baldwin, Triangle Tetrad, 2021. Oil and acrylic on canvas. 33 x 42 inches, 84 x 107 cm.

Amanda Baldwin, Descending Chartreuse Stems, 2021. Oil and acrylic on canvas. 53 x 42 inches, 135 x 107 cm.

Daniel Gordon, Still Life with Oranges, Vessels and House Plant, 2016. Pigment print with UV lamination. Courtesy of the Artist and James Fuentes.

Valerie Hegarty, Covid Mini-Fridge (The Covid Diaries Series), 2021. Foamcore, paper, glue, wire, apoxie sculpt, foil, acrylics, ink jet printouts. 19 x 44 x 30 inches, 48 x 112 x 76 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Barry Malin Gallery.

Oliver Clegg, 4:33pm, 2019. Oil on linen. 50 x 80 inches, 127 x 203 cm.

Adam de Boer, Full Moon, Swollen River, 2021. Acrylic paint staining, crayon and oil paint on linen, 2021. 40 x 40 inches, 102 x 102 cm.

Adam de Boer, Red-Crowned Amazons no 2, 2021. Wax-resist acrylic paint staining, crayon and oil paint on linen. 36 x 48 inches, 91 x 122 cm.

Koichi Sato, Love People, Love Animals, Love Nature, 2021. Oil and acrylic on canvas. 50 x 50 inches, 127 x 127 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Bill Brady.

Bryan Girsch, Durotar Tiger, 2020. Oil on canvas. 21 x 30 inches, 53 x 76 cm.

Bryant Girsch, Summer Elf Avatar, 202o. Oil on canvas, 30 x 36 inches, 76 x 91 cm.

Lydia Blakeley, Is This Internet Art? Symposium 1, 2021. Oil on linen, 18 x 12 inches, 45 x 40 cm.

Lydia Blakeley, Is This Internet Art? Symposium 2, 2021. Oil on linen, 18 x 12 inches, 45 x 40 cm.

Lydia Blakeley, Is This Internet Art? Symposium 3, 2021. Oil on linen, 18 x 12 inches, 45 x 40 cm.

Lydia Blakeley, Is This Internet Art? Symposium 4, 2021. Oil on linen, 18 x 12 inches, 45 x 40 cm.

Henry Gunderson, Cybernetic Nature Scene (Orange), 2021. Acrylic and oil on canvas. 12 x 12 inches, 31 x 31 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Water McBeer.

Taylor McKimens, SEE THE U.S.A., 2021. Acrylic, metal leaf and glitter on canvas. 75 x 120 inches, 191 x 305 cm.

Theo A. Rosenblum and Chelsea Seltzer, Oh No Man, 2021. Foam, wood, wire, resin clay and acrylic. 62 x 29 x 36 inches, 158 x 74 x 91 cm.

Dan Attoe, Vultures, 2021. Neon. 48 x 72 inches, 122 x 183 cm.

Eric Yahnker, Roasted Rose, 2021. Oil on linen mounted to panel in artist’s frame. 24 x 24 inches, 61 x 61 cm.

Aaron Elvis Jupin, Not Helping, 202o. Vinyl and acrylic on canvas. 33 x 27 inches, 84 x 69 cm.

Lucia Love, Bridge Over Troubled Water, 2020. Oil on panel. 36 x 48 inches, 91.5 x 122 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and JDJ.

Rosson Crow, Follies In The Evening Shade, 2021. Acrylic, photo transfer and oil on canvas. 60 x 72 inches, 152 x 183 cm.

Henry Hudson, 20:05:08 – 20:05:08pm, 2021. Pigment, petroleum jelly, calcium salts, chalk on aluminum board. 31.5 x 23.5 inches, 80 x 60 cm. Framed: 39 x 31.5 x 4 inches, 100 x 80 x 10 cm.

Roxanne Jackson, Epic Pandemic Phoenix Too (The Dragon), 2020. Ceramic, glaze, piercings. 36 x 107 x 19 inches, 91 x 272 x 48 cm.

Tomokazu Matsuyama, The Couch Unsent Piano, 2020. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. 100 x 60 inches, 254 x 152 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Private Collection.

Tomokazu Matsuyama, A Perfect Sky, 2021. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas. 36 x 36 inches, 91 x 91 cm.

Ginny Casey, Drip Dry, 2021. Oil on canvas. 22 x 20 inches, 56 x 51 cm.

Molly Greene, Vestiges, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 36 x 36 inches, 91 x 91 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Kapp Kapp.

Emily Mae Smith, Cassiopeia, 2020. Oil on linen. 84 x 67 inches, 213 x 170 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Private Collection.

Laurens Legiers, Struggling in Bad Weather, 2021. Oil paint on canvas. 47 x 37 inches, 120 x 95 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and PLUS-ONE Gallery.

Laurens Legiers, Elfenbankjes, 2021. Oil paint on canvas. 47 x 37 inches, 120 x 95 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and PLUS-ONE Gallery.

Matthew F. Fisher, Earth Land, 2021. Acrylic on canvas. 21 x 26 inches, 53 x 66 cm.

Charline Tyberghein, Mopes and Dreams, 2021. Acrylic on wood. 73 x 59 inches, 185 x 150 cm. Courtesy of the Artist and Sofie Van de Velde.