A Phantom’s Hymn
Solo Exhibition of Rob Nicholls
- April 5th to May, 5th, 2024
- Opening: Friday, April 5th, 6 to 8 pm
- Long Story Short
52 Henry St, New York, NY 10002
Long Story Short is delighted to announce A Phantom’s Hymn, a solo exhibition featuring the works of Rob Nicholls, at 52 Henry St, New York, NY, 10002, from April 5 to May 5, 2024.
In his latest body of work, Nicholls envisions supernatural landscapes of the afterlife. Each painting is a sublime, contemplative gaze into fantastical worlds beyond the living. With a musical sensibility through rhythmic brushstrokes and vibrant color, the images oscillate in tenor from places of calm and serene to stormy and turbulent. In Equatorial Song, a glowing sunrise bathes a soft green light over mountains and waterfalls spilling into an inlet. The contrasting Pillars of the Eclipse evince towering islands enveloped in meandering waves silhouetted by tall rocks in the foreground. An examination of grief and the pursuit of tranquility, the paintings are a caesura in time to imagine the eternal afterworld, a place for lost loved ones to infinitely roam.
Rob Nicholls' dreamlike landscapes not only transport viewers to ethereal realms but also offer a diverse array of lighting moods, from the bright hues of sunrise to the soft tones of sunset. By avoiding singular perspectives, Nicholls presents myriad angles and moments, capturing nature's profound impact on our psyche. Using textured brush strokes, vibrant colors, and gentle washes, his paintings seamlessly blend elements of flora, fauna, and geological formations inspired by Vancouver Island's lush forests.
Nicholls approaches each painting meticulously, selecting a unique palette for every piece and ensuring a smooth canvas for fluid paint application.Inspired by artists like Fragonard and Burchfield, he infuses his own style, marrying reality with imagination. These scenes emerge from Nicholls' memories of growing up surrounded by the island's verdant landscapes, transporting viewers to otherworldly realms where each scene offers a glimpse into different lights and perspectives. Through careful craftsmanship, Nicholls captures the essence of nature's mystery, inviting viewers to explore the depths of imagination and emotion within his art.
Celebrated for his mesmerizing landscapes, Rob Nicholls holds a BFA from Emily Carr University of Art + Design and an MFA from the University of Waterloo. Represented by Equinox Gallery in Vancouver, BC, his work has been showcased in solo exhibitions namely Backwoods Song and Midnight Mountain. Nicholls' art, characterized by textured brushwork and luminous colors, transcends the physical, inviting viewers on a journey of emotion and imagination. His ethereal landscapes explore nature's connection to the human experience, transporting audiences beyond the tangible world into realms of imagination and emotion. Featured in the collections of Royal Bank of Canada, Capital One and Global Affairs Canada, Nicholls has received grants from organizations such as the Ontario Arts Council, solidifying his impact on the contemporary art scene.
For general inquiries contact nyc@lss.gallery