Jonathan LeVine Gallery has announced Late Confessions, a series of works and installation by New York-based identical twin artists How & Nosm, in what will be their debut solo exhibition in New York. This will be the first of two consecutive pop-up shows presented by LeVine in a temporary space located at: 557 West 23rd Street in Chelsea. The opening reception is Friday, February 1st from 7 PM - 9 PM.
How & Nosm’s aesthetic is characterized by meticulously detailed line work rendered in their signature black, white and red color pallet. The artists mix highly stylized figures in contrasting scale with intricate, graphic, geometric patterns. Their complex narratives are complemented by site-specific installations that draw the viewer into surreal environments reflecting those portrayed on their canvases.
The imagery in Late Confessions relates to the German twins’ unique personal history and evolution. Raised in San Sebastian, Spain in the years following the Franco dictatorship—a time of political turmoil in which military tanks, tear gas and rubber bullets were common—their formative years were marked by chaos and emotional instability. Adding to this onerous background, the burdens of growing up in a household of alcoholism and poverty led the pair to develop a drive and determination that continues to fuel their work.
Reflecting on their shared past, How & Nosm paint dramatic, autobiographical works, rich in symbolism and an unusual combination of cultural references. Their densely layered compositions are reminiscent of Picasso’s Guernica, highlighting themes of war, desperation, pain and survival: blades and broken bottles pierce figures, dripping stark red streams of blood. Birds are recurring subjects, flying high to prevail triumphant and transcend labyrinths of dizzying disorder.
The first 100 guests at the opening reception will also receive a limited edition spraycan designed by the artists, courtesy of Montana Paints. Must be 18+ to receive.
PLEASE SHARE & REPOST! I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to share the news that our dear friend and beloved artist, Brian Ewing, has been diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Brian has been hospitalized since early March and is fighting for his life. He has brought so much joy and inspiration through his art, and now he needs our support.