"In Light Whispers, Nicasio Fernandez's paintings convey a quiet intensity within moody, introspective settings, where his figures are steeped in a spectrum of emotions ranging from uncertainty and tension to concern and doubt. Drawing on film noir motifs-low-key light, deep shadows, and psychological intensity-Fernandez places otherworldly figures in eerie, dramatic atmospheres that leave the viewer both unsettled and curious. Though traces of the domestic linger, the paintings deliberately omit any indicators of place, cultivating an enigmatic sense of space."
"Rather than referencing specific film stills, Fernandez's works are instead constructed around a captivating moment, lingering feeling, or a memory Fernandez has held onto and reshaped into his own vision. All but one painting conceal their cinematic references. Dark Corner, titled after the 1954 film, depicts a forward-leaning figure in motion, the face and long brown overcoat partially backlit by an ambiguous source just outside the frame."
"While Fernandez is known for his vibrant chromatic choices, subtle dark humor, and precise handling of materials-demonstrating an ability to be loud and provocative-this body of work marks a decisive shift toward restraint and alteration. His bold palette has been pared down and placed within a uniform tonal temperature. Scratchy brushwork reveals parts of the underpainting, while sharp, crisp edges begin to dissolve."
Nicasio Fernandez presents Light Whispers at Berggruen Gallery, on view through October 16, 2025, marking the gallery's first solo presentation with the artist. The paintings create moody, introspective settings populated by otherworldly figures expressing uncertainty, tension, concern, and doubt. The works employ film‑noir strategies—low‑key light, deep shadows, and psychological intensity—while omitting concrete location details to produce enigmatic spaces. Most works do not cite specific cinematic frames; instead each centers on a captured moment, feeling, or reshaped memory. A restrained shift appears in palette and technique: colors are muted into a uniform tonal temperature, scratchy brushwork reveals underpainting, and edges soften.
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