Gagosian Hong Kong Presents "Social Abstraction": A Vibrant Exploration of Contemporary Black Art

Gagosian Hong Kong is set to unveil an exciting new exhibition titled "Social Abstraction," curated by the renowned Antwaun Sargent. This exhibition, which opens on September 10, 2024, is the second part of a two-part series that initially debuted in Beverly Hills earlier this summer. The Hong Kong installment promises to be a captivating showcase of contemporary abstract art, featuring works by an intergenerational group of Black artists who employ abstraction to explore themes of culture, perception, and our place in the universe.

Kahlil Robert Irving, FlatGROUND_section [Ground Celebration]Pipe Fragment + faux fruit & BELL, 2023–24, glazed and unglazed ceramic, decals, lusters, and colored enamel, 10 1/2 ~ 14 1/4 ~ 10 1/2 inches (26.7 ~ 36.2 ~ 26.7 cm) © Kahlil Robert Irving. Photo: Josh White

The exhibition brings together eleven talented artists, many of whom are presenting their work in Asia for the first time. These include Kevin Beasley, Allana Clarke, Cy Gavin, Alteronce Gumby, Lauren Halsey, Kahlil Robert Irving, Devin B. Johnson, Rick Lowe, Eric N. Mack, Cameron Welch, and Amanda Williams. Each artist brings a unique perspective and approach to abstraction, working with a diverse range of media from traditional oil and acrylic paints to more unconventional materials such as ceramics, mosaic, resin, hair glue, wigs, and textiles.

One of the exhibition's highlights is Rick Lowe's untitled canvas from 2023, which combines painting and collage techniques to create intricate networks reminiscent of cityscapes and domino games viewed from above. This piece reflects Lowe's interest in urban geography and communal relationships, drawing from his background in civic transformation projects.

Amanda Williams' contribution, "CandyLadyBlack (I Can Feel It When You Walk)" (2023), offers a nostalgic journey through layers of dusky colors inspired by the hues, textures, and tastes of candy. This painting pays homage to the "Candy Lady," a beloved figure in Black American neighborhoods known for selling sweets to children.

Cy Gavin's landscape paintings explore the natural world at various scales, from plant growth to celestial dynamics. His "Untitled (Stars through treetops)" (2024) uses gestural brushstrokes to depict a mesmerizing view of starlight filtered through foliage. Alteronce Gumby incorporates unusual materials like agate and glass in his works, creating iridescent surfaces that reflect his fascination with natural phenomena and human perception.

Rick Lowe, Untitled, 2023, Acrylic and paper collage on canvas, 63 × 51 inches (160 × 129.5 cm)

© Rick Lowe Studio. Photo: Thomas Dubrock

Amanda Williams, CandyLadyBlack (I Can Feel It When You Walk), 2023, Oil and mixed media on wood panel, 60 × 60 inches (152.4 × 152.4 cm) © Amanda Williams. Photo: Jeff McLane

Cy Gavin, Untitled (Stars through treetops), 2024, Acrylic and vinyl on wood panel, 50 ¼ × 50 ⅛ inches (127.6 × 127.3 cm)

© Cy Gavin. Photo: Owen Conway

The exhibition also features Devin B. Johnson's multifaceted approach, which combines abstract and representational elements in both paintings and ceramics. Kahlil Robert Irving's ceramic works mimic urban detritus but are, in fact, meticulously crafted sculptures layered with enamel and digital collages. Cameron Welch brings a contemporary twist to the ancient art of mosaic, creating dense compositions of interconnecting lines and broken paths using marble, glass, ceramic, and stone tesserae.

Lauren Halsey and Allana Clarke address issues of identity and beauty standards, particularly those affecting Black women. Halsey's untitled relief from 2024 uses synthetic hair to create a vibrant, cascading sculpture that invokes themes of individuality and self-transformation. Clarke's piece, "On Your Way" (2024), is sculpted from hair bonding glue, exploring the material's cultural significance and sculptural potential.

Eric N. Mack's "If I Knew Then (What I Know Now)" (2024) blends abstract painting with the structures and cultural associations of clothing by draping and layering patterned fabric onto stretcher bars. Kevin Beasley's works embed raw cotton and pigments into resin slabs, creating texturally rich pieces that resonate with historical significance.

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1. Devin B. Johnson, Head Adornment #12, (Passion Pit), 2024, Terracotta, 7 ¼ × 6 x 6 inches (18.1 × 15.2 × 15.2 cm) © Devin B. Johnson. Photo: Owen Conway

2. Allana Clarke, On Your Way, 2024, Salon Pro 30 Sec. Super Hair Bond Glue (rubber latex and black carbon dye), 68 × 45 × 26 inches (172.7 × 114.3 × 66 cm) © Allana Clarke. Photo: Tim Johnson

3. Lauren Halsey, Untitled, 2024, Synthetic hair and mirror on wood, 120 × 56 × 8 inches (304.8 × 142.2 × 20.3 cm) © Lauren Halsey. Photo: Allen Chen

4. Eric N. Mack, If I Knew Then (What I Know Now), 2024, Silk, polyester, acrylic, dyed cotton, and corset boning on aluminum, 80 ½ x 54 × 14 ½ inches (204.5 × 137.2 × 36.8 cm) © Eric N. Mack. Photo: Steven Probert

To complement the exhibition, a special zine supplement to the fall issue of Gagosian Quarterly, guest-edited by Sargent, will feature conversations between the exhibited artists and contemporary thinkers. This additional content promises to provide deeper insights into the artists' processes and the themes explored in their works.

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Social Abstraction

Dates: September 10 – November 2, 2024

Location: Gagosian Hong Kong

　　　　 (Gagosian, 7/F Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, Hong Kong)

Website: https://gagosian.com/exhibitions/2024/social-abstraction-curated-by-antwaun-sargent-hong-kong/