Matthew Palladino presents a collection of large-scale works on paper executed in acrylic ink, showcasing a medium akin to watercolor, which has been meticulously explored for over a decade. Divided into two distinct themes, the exhibition delves into the world of organic natural plant-based forms and intricate, dream-like interiors.
These natural forms, predominantly succulents and cacti, captured the artist’s attention during the pandemic when outdoor access was limited to their terrace, nestled against the striking backdrop of the Andean mountains and dramatic high-altitude skies in La Paz, Bolivia. Born and raised in urban San Francisco, the natural world had not been a prominent subject in their work until their move to this desert city. Initially inspired by the succulent collection curated by their partner, the artist began with still life representations. As they delved deeper, these still lifes transformed into landscapes, which were subsequently reimagined in the digital realm to create compositions that juxtapose the natural with the mechanical, reveling in the bizarre forms found in succulents. Over time, the landscapes evolved into individual plant portraits, resembling ancient totemic icons. In the exhibition, two monumental crested plant paintings stand as focal points, stripped of extraneous settings, and radiate a quasi-religious aura, emphasizing the artist’s quest to decode and re-create the mystery hidden within these botanical wonders.