GEST
December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021
NEL AERTS, MARISA ADESMAN, STEPHANIE TEMMA HIER,
BLAIR SAXON-HILL, BONY RAMIREZ, CONRAD RUIZ, SOYEON SHIN,
MATTHEW SWEESY, ORKIDEH TORABI, AND MATTHIAS VRIENS
Reflecting on what has to be one of the strangest years in many, the group show we are opening on Tuesday (sadly to no physical audience, once again) is a personal show that came together during the lockdown. While constantly browsing the web in a meditative and almost obsessive way on my phone, certain works popped up through a little searching, or through group shows here and there, and stuck with me. Some of the artists I have hosted at our residency program in Cologne, some I represent, and some were completely new to me.
I wrote them down and collected those images that instinctually and immediately spoke to me and created a folder to keep them. This started in March and it hasn’t ended.
When planning the final show for the year, I went back to this folder and list and started considering how the works related to one another, or if they related at all, and what it was about them that made me take notice and collect the imagery in the first place. I came to see that the thread that tied together so many of these works is that they have a very narrative quality; one that feels very personal. In fact, they feel semi-obsessive and as if they also could have been made at a time of confinement. There is a sense of angst but also a sense of humor and melancholy present in the works and, while there were many more artists that could have been part of the show, per se, I chose the following group to be in GEST because they made the most sense together. I am neither a scholar nor a linguist by any means, but searching for a title led me through a thesaurus web that started with the search: storytelling.
GEST, which means a tale of adventures, really struck a chord with me, because all the works had a sense of that definition, to me.The artists on view are Nel Aerts, Marisa Adesman, Stephanie Temma Hier, Blair Saxon-Hill, Bony Ramirez, Conrad Ruiz, Soyeon Shin, Matthew Sweesy, Orkideh Torabi, and Matthias Vriens. I am grateful to all the artists for working very hard to have work in the show and for being part of this adventure.
I hope you enjoy this exhibition and now you all know a new word, too.
Nino Mier
Installation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireMarisa Adesman
All the Trappings, 2020
Oil on panel
8 x 10 in
20.3 x 25.4 cm
(MAD20.001)
Marisa Adesman
Fighting Chance, 2020
Oil on panel
8 x 10 in
20.3 x 25.4 cm
(MAD20.002)
Marisa Adesman
Twilight Jubilee, 2020
Oil on panel
9 x 12 in
22.9 x 30.5 cm
(MAD20.003)
Marisa Adesman
Growing Panes (Lemon), 2020
Oil on paper
9 x 5 1/4 in
22.9 x 13.3 cm
(MAD20.004)
Marisa Adesman
Growing Panes (Peaches), 2020
Oil on paper
9 x 6 1/4 in
22.9 x 15.9 cm
(MAD20.005)
Nel Aerts
Cross-examination, 2020
Acrylic, oil stick, spray paint and pastel on canvas in artist-made frame,
67 3/8 x 55 1/2 in
171 x 141 cm
(NAE20.006)
Nel Aerts
Doktersbezoek [Doctor’s Visit], 2017
Acrylic, oil, coloured pencil and oil stick on canvas
82 5/8 x 106 1/4 in
210 x 270 cm
(NAE20.005)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Mouth Piece, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
20 x 14 x 2 1/2 in
50.8 x 35.6 x 6.3 cm
(SHI20.004)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Chew Before You Swallow, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
31 x 26 x 5 in
78.7 x 66 x 12.7 cm
(SHI20.005)
Marisa Adesman
Growing Panes (Lemon), 2020
Oil on paper
9 x 5 1/4 in
22.9 x 13.3 cm
(MAD20.004)
Marisa Adesman
Growing Panes (Peaches), 2020
Oil on paper
9 x 6 1/4 in
22.9 x 15.9 cm
(MAD20.005)
Nel Aerts
Cross-examination, 2020
Acrylic, oil stick, spray paint and pastel on canvas in artist-made frame,
67 3/8 x 55 1/2 in
171 x 141 cm
(NAE20.006)
Nel Aerts
Doktersbezoek [Doctor’s Visit], 2017
Acrylic, oil, coloured pencil and oil stick on canvas
82 5/8 x 106 1/4 in
210 x 270 cm
(NAE20.005)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Mouth Piece, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
20 x 14 x 2 1/2 in
50.8 x 35.6 x 6.3 cm
(SHI20.004)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Chew Before You Swallow, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
31 x 26 x 5 in
78.7 x 66 x 12.7 cm
(SHI20.005)
Installation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireInstallation View of Gest (December 15, 2020–January 31, 2021) Nino Mier Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
InquireStephanie Temma Hier
On Those Blue Remembered Hills, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
53 x 71 x 15 in
134.6 x 180.3 x 38.1 cm
(SHI20.001)
Stephanie Temma Hier
An Appraisal of Shadows, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
14 x 14 x 15 in
35.6 x 35.6 x 38.1 cm
(SHI20.002)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Under The Volcano, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
22 x 21 x 2 1/2 in
55.9 x 53.3 x 6.3 cm
(SHI20.003)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Getting Ready For the Sunshine, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
20 x 20 x 3 1/2 in
50.8 x 50.8 x 8.9 cm
(SHI20.006)
Bony Ramirez
The Tree of Life, 2020
Acrylic, colored pencil, oil pastel, wallpaper, Bristol paper on wood panel
36 x 48 in
91.4 x 121.9 cm
(BRA20.001)
Bony Ramirez
Clean Up, After the Storm, 2020
Acrylic, colored pencil, oil pastel, wallpaper, gold leaf marker, plastic pearls, Bristol paper on wood panel
60 x 40 in
152.4 x 101.6 cm
(BRA20.002)
Conrad Ruiz
Man on Fire XIII, 2020
Watercolor on paper
12 x 9 in
30.5 x 22.9 cm
(CRU20.003)
Conrad Ruiz
Man on Fire XII, 2020
Watercolor on paper
24 x 18 in
61 x 45.7 cm
(CRU20.002)
Conrad Ruiz
Death or Glory, Just Another Story, 2020
Watercolor on paper
45 x 67 in
114.3 x 170.2 cm
(CRU20.001)
Stephanie Temma Hier
On Those Blue Remembered Hills, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
53 x 71 x 15 in
134.6 x 180.3 x 38.1 cm
(SHI20.001)
Stephanie Temma Hier
An Appraisal of Shadows, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
14 x 14 x 15 in
35.6 x 35.6 x 38.1 cm
(SHI20.002)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Under The Volcano, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
22 x 21 x 2 1/2 in
55.9 x 53.3 x 6.3 cm
(SHI20.003)
Stephanie Temma Hier
Getting Ready For the Sunshine, 2020
Oil on linen with glazed stoneware sculpture
20 x 20 x 3 1/2 in
50.8 x 50.8 x 8.9 cm
(SHI20.006)
Bony Ramirez
The Tree of Life, 2020
Acrylic, colored pencil, oil pastel, wallpaper, Bristol paper on wood panel
36 x 48 in
91.4 x 121.9 cm
(BRA20.001)
Bony Ramirez
Clean Up, After the Storm, 2020
Acrylic, colored pencil, oil pastel, wallpaper, gold leaf marker, plastic pearls, Bristol paper on wood panel
60 x 40 in
152.4 x 101.6 cm
(BRA20.002)
Conrad Ruiz
Death or Glory, Just Another Story, 2020
Watercolor on paper
45 x 67 in
114.3 x 170.2 cm
(CRU20.001)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Oyster Hour, 2020
Mixed fabrics, oil and charcoal on canvas panel
76 x 50 x 2 in
193 x 127 x 5.1 cm
(BSH20.011)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Untitled (Oyster, Pussy, Eye), 2020
Collage and watercolor on cotton rag
14 3/4 x 11 in
37.5 x 27.9 cm
(BSH20.011)
Blair Saxon-Hill
At Capacity, 2020
Mixed fabrics, oil and charcoal on canvas panel
76 x 50 x 2 in
193 x 127 x 5.1 cm
(BSH20.012)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Empty Seat, 2020
Collage and watercolor on cotton rag
15 x 11 in
38.1 x 27.9 cm
(BSH20.012A)
Soyeon Shin
Waverly Avenue at Lafayette Avenue, 2020
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 40 in
76.2 x 101.6 cm
(SSH20.001)
Soyeon Shin
Dekalb Avenue, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
20 x 24 in
50.8 x 61 cm
(SSH20.002)
Soyeon Shin
Humboldt Street, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 40 in
76.2 x 101.6 cm
(SSH20.003)
Soyeon Shin
Bushwick Avenue, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
36 x 36 in
91.4 x 91.4 cm
(SSH20.004)
Soyeon Shin
Emerson Place, 2019
Acrylic on canvas
20 x 24 in
50.8 x 61 cm
(SSH20.005)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Oyster Hour, 2020
Mixed fabrics, oil and charcoal on canvas panel
76 x 50 x 2 in
193 x 127 x 5.1 cm
(BSH20.011)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Untitled (Oyster, Pussy, Eye), 2020
Collage and watercolor on cotton rag
14 3/4 x 11 in
37.5 x 27.9 cm
(BSH20.011)
Blair Saxon-Hill
At Capacity, 2020
Mixed fabrics, oil and charcoal on canvas panel
76 x 50 x 2 in
193 x 127 x 5.1 cm
(BSH20.012)
Blair Saxon-Hill
Empty Seat, 2020
Collage and watercolor on cotton rag
15 x 11 in
38.1 x 27.9 cm
(BSH20.012A)
Soyeon Shin
Waverly Avenue at Lafayette Avenue, 2020
Acrylic on canvas
30 x 40 in
76.2 x 101.6 cm
(SSH20.001)
Soyeon Shin
Graham Avenue, 2020
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 24 in
61 x 61 cm
(SSH20.006)
Matthew Sweesy
Christ Ladder, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
44 x 30 in
111.8 x 76.2 cm
(MSW20.001)
Matthew Sweesy
Green Machine, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
60 x 44 in
152.4 x 111.8 cm
(MSW20.002)
Matthew Sweesy
By the yellow light we as trees are woven, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
44 x 30 in
111.8 x 76.2 cm
(MSW20.003)
Orkideh Torabi
Beautiful Fist, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.003)
Orkideh Torabi
Your Fly's Open!, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.002)
Orkideh Torabi
Customer First, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.001)
Matthias Vriens
Smörgåsbord IV, 2010
Collage on paper
12 x 9 in
30.5 x 22.9 cm
(MVR20.004)
Matthias Vriens
Smörgåsbord III, 2010
Collage on paper
12 x 9 in
30.5 x 22.9 cm
(MVR20.003)
Matthias Vriens
Smörgåsbord II, 2010
Collage on paper
12 x 9 in
30.5 x 22.9 cm
(MVR20.002)
Matthias Vriens
Smörgåsbord I, 2010
Collage on paper
12 x 9 in
30.5 x 22.9 cm
(MVR20.001)
Matthew Sweesy
Christ Ladder, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
44 x 30 in
111.8 x 76.2 cm
(MSW20.001)
Matthew Sweesy
Green Machine, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
60 x 44 in
152.4 x 111.8 cm
(MSW20.002)
Matthew Sweesy
By the yellow light we as trees are woven, 2020
Colored pencil on paper
44 x 30 in
111.8 x 76.2 cm
(MSW20.003)
Orkideh Torabi
Beautiful Fist, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.003)
Orkideh Torabi
Your Fly's Open!, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.002)
Orkideh Torabi
Customer First, 2020
Fabric dye on cotton
82 x 53 1/2 in
208.3 x 135.9 cm
(OTO20.001)