Renowned Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco is set to present his latest solo exhibition at White Cube Seoul from September 4 to December 14, 2024. This exhibition, which will span over three months, marks a significant moment in Orozco’s career as he deepens his exploration of the natural world, focusing on the intersection between nature and human creativity through his acclaimed ‘Diario de Plantas’ series.

The works on display will include paintings and pieces from Orozco’s 2021-2022 ‘Diario de Plantas’ series, which reflect his intricate artistic practice that began during the Covid-19 pandemic. Living in Tokyo at the time, Orozco collected leaves from his surroundings and pressed them into his notebooks, creating delicate imprints that he combined with various artistic mediums such as gouache, ink, tempera, and graphite. These botanical studies continued when Orozco returned to Mexico City, where he worked on transforming Chapultepec Park, further deepening his engagement with nature.

The artist's work reveals a complex dialogue between organic forms and his freehand geometric patterns. The natural shapes of leaves contrast with Orozco's deliberate markings, creating a multilayered exploration of movement on both macro and micro scales. His compositions, which at first glance seem focused on botanical forms, carry deeper themes of growth, decomposition, and the cyclical nature of life itself.

Orozco’s time during the pandemic, often referred to as the 'anthropause,' plays a central role in the exhibition’s conceptual foundation. The slowdown of human activity allowed for deeper reflection on the environment, and this theme is intricately woven into his works. The process of collecting and imprinting leaves serves as a metaphor for the connection between humans and the natural world, highlighting the fragility and resilience found in both.

Alongside his plant studies, Orozco presents works that explore aquatic and animal life, such as Guapo Fish and Warrior Fish (2024). These paintings, executed on Shikishi, a traditional Japanese art board, incorporate gold leaf, a technique that enhances the dynamic interplay between light and surface. The shimmering gold leaf reflects the movement of viewers as they engage with the artworks, creating an interactive experience that shifts with perspective.

The exhibition not only reflects Orozco's continued focus on the balance between nature and human intervention but also echoes his previous works from the ‘Suisai’ and ‘Samurai Tree’ series. His earlier studies of circular motifs and contrasting color sequences, inspired by chess, evolve here into more organic expressions of movement, growth, and decay. These newer works emphasize the natural cycles of reproduction and fossilization, serving as a metaphor for the broader rhythms of nature and the artistic process itself.

As the exhibition spans from September to December 2024, it coincides with a season of environmental reflection and change, further enhancing the thematic resonance of Orozco’s works. By situating this collection in Seoul, Orozco invites viewers to consider the interconnectedness of art, nature, and time, particularly in a world where environmental concerns continue to grow.

Through this extensive exhibition, Gabriel Orozco solidifies his position as a thought leader in contemporary art, urging his audience to contemplate not only the beauty of the natural world but also the role of humans within it. His ability to blend organic elements with abstract concepts offers a profound commentary on the fragile balance that defines both nature and creativity.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com