"The portraits in the exhibition, inspired by two sculptural works by Camille Claudel and Auguste Rodin, serve as a conceptual springboard to also frame the group of treescapes on view. Party utilizes the symbolism and mythological references present in these sculptures to confront the inevitability of aging and death, two themes that have long been central to his artistic exploration. Known for his unique use of soft pastel, the artist has become a master of the medium, employing the pigment's versatility, immediacy and saturated color."
"Party is known for conceiving his exhibitions as comprehensive environments, incorporating architectural interventions and extending the palette of his paintings across the gallery's walls. Heightening the powerful formal and psychological effects of his subject matter, he has chosen to steep the surrounding walls in a rich electric blue for this exhibition, punctuated by arches that lead the viewer through each space and frame the view of a work featuring a waterfall."
"Situated in dialogue with the treescapes, 'Portrait with Camille' (2025) draws inspiration from Camille Claudel's sculptural work entitled 'Clotho' (1893), the namesake of this exhibition. The sculpture depicts the figure from Greek mythology Clotho, one of the three fates who was known to spin the thread of human life. Party's portrait echoes the haunting representation of time's passage, its gnarled form capturing the ravages of age and the weight of mortality."
Nicolas Party presents new treescapes and pastel portraits at Hauser & Wirth in London that interrogate representational painting and the passage of time. The portraits take inspiration from Camille Claudel's 'Clotho' and Rodin's 'She Who Was the Helmet Maker's Once-Beautiful Wife', employing mythological symbolism to confront aging and mortality. Party exploits soft pastel's versatility, immediacy and saturated color to render atmospheric, gnarled forms. The exhibition functions as an immersive environment with architectural interventions and gallery walls steeped in electric blue, punctuated by arches that guide viewers and frame views, including a work featuring a waterfall.
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