About the Exhibit - Internal Riot
It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of George Condo. I’ve written about him before and his incredible exhibits at Skarstedt Gallery (when he was represented by them).
Shortly after this exhibit in the Winter of 2019 it was announced that he would be represented by Hauser & Wirth, which is fitting seeing that he’s undoubtedly one of the best artists in the world and they’re the best gallery in the world (IMO).
So after many months of waiting thanks to Covid lockdowns, etc, Condo finally debuted his first exhibit with Hauser & Wirth titled, Internal Riot, on view from November 5th to January 23rd, 2021.
It looks like Condo had a busy and productive quarantine, creating all of these works during that time. The exhibit spans two floors of the gallery, the 2nd floor exhibiting a series of drawings and the 5th floors a series of paintings.
“Made during the quarantine period, these works reflect the unsettling experience of physical distance and the absence of human contact during this prolonged time of social isolation.” (source)
“These paintings and drawings explore my experience in isolation and reflect the inner isolation we have all experienced throughout our lives. Internal dialogues while in transit or asleep or in the form of dreams.” - George Condo (source)
“‘Internal Riot,’ which I’m naming this exhibition is about that feeling of just wanting to turn your world upside down and burn it to the ground… and hope a new planet will be born. It’s about that transcendental moment when all things are everything.” - George Condo (source)
“The pandemic has forced Condo to take his portraiture practice to a new level, with invented characters captured in an abstract web that reveals the humanity inherent in their fractured psychological states.” (source)
“We are dealing with opposing forces and the elasticity of time.” - George Condo (source)
For those of you that are Travis Scott fans, this exhibit will have special significance for you (as it did for me). Included in his portrait series is a portrait of Travis Scott he did for his Franchise single.
It’s an impressive task to create drawings that are as powerful as paintings but Condo does this feat with ease. His drawings are usually large-scale like his paintings, with even more detailed chaos.
“People want to move… with no clear path in sight. This is the moment for change. As an artist I know I can right wrongs in my paintings and that is what I do. I unite every form and color and harmonize it to the point where it sings like a choir. I’d love to see the world do that.” - George Condo (source)
Video of the Exhibit
To see a walkthrough of the exhibit, skip ahead to 4:55 in the video below.
About the Artist - George Condo
Condo studied art history and music theory at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
He met Basquiat in 1979 when Basquiat's band Gray opened for Condo’s (where he was a bassist) and he shortly after moved to New York City where he lives and works to this day.
His first job in NYC was working as a screen printer in Andy Warhol’s factory.
He’s also known for Kanye West’s album cover for ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ released in 2010. He created 5 different album covers for the artist.
