Luce Gallery is proud to present the second Solo Exhibition at the Gallery by Connie Harrison.

In Wanderings, large-scale panels invite viewers to immerse themselves in her visual realm, while also magnifying tiny details from the more-than-human world beyond the recognisable. Her work touches on both the power and the fragility of the environment, speaking to a sense of nature as simultaneously allencompassing and vulnerable, and inviting a reassessment of the complex relationships between self and other, person and place, and abstraction and figuration.

Harrison begins each composition with a base layer of a bright colour, which will sing through the subsequent layers. She then adds a layer of clear wax before painting in a linear representation of her first compositional element, which is generally the form of a leaf of flower, a tiny detail of a landscape magnified to fill the picture plane. After another layer of wax, she adds a contrasting composition which intersects with the first, spatially segmenting the canvas with two images that together dissolve into near-abstraction.

She then begins to add layers of paint using pointillist or impressionistic brush techniques, often in earthier or more autumnal colours. This muddies or grounds the original fresh base shade, which nevertheless continues to shine through vibrantly like light wherever she scrapes back into the surface, which she does with a scalpel between coats of paint. There is an ongoing process of covering and uncovering at work in which colour plays a key role, turning the complex composition into a multiplicitous and yet harmonious set of relations.

Harrison’s process has sculptural elements to it, particularly where she scores back into the paint to reveal underlying lines and colours, anchoring and unifying the work. She sees herself as carving a wandering path through her painterly surfaces, seeking a route among the textures and hues of the image. This is echoed in the experience of viewing the work, in which the eye is led into the expanse of the picture plane and taken on a journey in many directions at once, replete with shortcuts, dead-ends, and re-emergences. Throughout these prismatic paintings, there is an elision of the distance between foreground and background, playing with the traditional spatial rules of painting, unfolding into multifaceted organic geometries. Despite being landscape-like, the works eschew a horizon line or central vanishing point, eluding definitions of scale; these could be close-ups of a garden border or views of the earth from far above, as romantically intimate as they are distantly topographical.

These paintings require extended looking; details and relationships emerge they longer they are observed. Harrison is interested in inviting viewers to consider alternative viewpoints, something that is echoed in her own process of turning the works upside down during her painting process in order to gain a different perspective on the composition. There is a tension at play within this body of work, between light and dark, foreground and background, vibrancy and quiet; constantly unfolding into further complexity, her dynamic paintings have an ungraspable quality, as though hovering just out of reach between figuration and abstraction.

Bio‍

Connie Harrison (b. 1993, UK) is a British artist who lives and works in London.

She graduated with First Class Honours in Fine Art from Chelsea College of Arts, London, in 2016, after completing a Foundation course at New College Nottingham.

Recent exhibitions include Strata Nino Mier Gallery New York, 2025, Fifteen Years Luce Gallery, Turin, 2024, Phantasmagoria IBF Contemporary London, 2024, New Now Guts Gallery London, 2024, Bloomscapes Luce Gallery Turin, 2024, and Reverdie Arusha Gallery Edinburgh, 2023.

Wanderings marks her second solo exhibition with the Gallery.

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We are thrilled to introduce Connie Harrison, debuting her first solo exhibition with Luce Gallery titled, Bloomscapes. Opening October 24th, the show will feature eleven paintings incorporating her signature technique of layering wax paste and oil paint with incised lines. On view through December 20th, these abstract landscapes expose a deeper aesthetic beauty and celebration of nature’s complexity. Harrison employs an array of bright saturated hues - from rich jewel tones to glowing neons to soft pastels - pushing beyond the traditional landscape palette to captivate the eye. Her layered compositions are dense with lush vegetation, now featuring flowers, enlivened with quick rhythmic brushstrokes or carved directly into the surface, unveiling their inner beauty. Together, the paintings in Bloomscapes beacon viewers to wander through the awe inspiring forest nooks, uncovering overlooked details and encouraging peaceful reflection.

Harrison begins her artistic process by photographing Britain's ancient woodlands, lush garden scenes, and flower elements. She uses digital technology to overlay magnified floral outlines onto the landscapes, simultaneously working between these two compositions: distrorting and abstracting into one cohesive resolution. Her paintings often start with bright, almost neon underlayers that form an inner light, upon which she builds layers of oil paint and wax. This process creates a rich, velvety texture, while her technique of excavating the layers mirrors the natural cycles of growth and erosion - like seedlings bursting through the forest floor or heavy rain showers unearthing ancient sediments.

For Harrison, materiality is essential to her work. She sought a medium that could balance complexity with flatness, and texture with sculpted elements. Inspired by the rhythmic brushstrokes of French Impressionists, the saturated hues and flat compositions of Austrian Symbolist Gustav Klimt, and the techniques of atmospheric abstractions of American modernists like Helen Frankenthaler, Harrison developed an individualized bold approach. She masterfully balances intense color, opacity, and texture, by exposing wax and pigment with brushes and a sculpting stylist.

In her seminal work, Mirage at Dusk, pale pink rocky paths traverse through patches of goldenrod, periwinkle, and deep-violet flowers, while blades of magenta and dark turquoise grasses seem to emerge from beneath the rocks. All paths lead toward a dense wooded area, appearing as a kaleidoscope of hues, with an indigo sky looming through the forest canopy. In the background, dappled leaves echo the delicate petal structures in the foreground, while the smooth plane of the dark sky contrasts with the light-toned flatness of the rocks, instilling balance and harmony. Harrison’s potent colors, converging pathways, and vigorous brushstrokes infuse the painting with vibration, revealing a once concealed inner life force.

The strength of Harrison’s work lies in her abstract approach to landscapes, using the familiar subject to ‘organize’ her compositions and ultimately become vehicles for the sublime. She skillfully capitalizes on the duality of nature as both a refuge for a sensory relaxation and restoration, as well as a powerful force that presents great complexity and rhythm to inspire awe and wonder. Each experience coexists within the ‘bloomscape’, inviting viewers to wander through multiple paths of discovery and foster a deeper appreciation of nature's hidden beauty, escapism, and vitality.

Connie Harrison (British, b.1993) is a painter based in London, known for her vibrant, textured landscapes layered with oil paint and wax. Her process of excavation reveals the underlying depths of her compositions, metaphorically reflecting nature’s rhythms and life cycles. Harrison graduated with honors in 2016 from Chelsea College of Arts in the United Kingdom, after completing a foundational education at New College, Nottingham. Her work has been exhibited internationally including Dallas, Edinburgh, London, Los Angeles, New York, and Turin.

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Luce Gallery is thrilled to announce our special anniversary group presentation, Fifteen Years.
This show celebrates the gallery's milestone and features new works by a selection of the artists we work with, including Dominic Chambers, Ryan Cosbert, Robert Davis, Derek Fordjour, Connie Harrison, Yowshien Kuo, Hugo McCloud, Johanna Mirabel, Peter Mohall, Demarco Mosby, Ludovic Nkoth, Collins Obijiaku, Zéh Palito, and Francesco Pirazzi. Opening May 16, the exhibition showcases the incredible talent and diversity of artistic style of our artists, some of whom have been with us since the inception of our gallery, as well as recent additions to the program. This show honors our partnership and journey with these artists, whether they have already achieved career stardom or are just beginning to make their mark. Fifteen Years offers a profound moment of pride and reflection, encapsulating Luce Gallery's mission to discover and support international emerging artists, enriching our ever-expanding gallery program.

With director and founder Nikola Cernetic at the helm, Luce Gallery's mission has always been to seek out new talent and provide spaces for their artworks to gain a wider audience. In a recent interview, Cernetic explained:

"I opened Luce Gallery in a very romantic way, and to this day, that spirit persists. I've never chosen an artist solely for a commercial reason; I ask them to join my program because I love and believe in their work and vision. Searching for these artists and being the first to discover them is perhaps the most interesting and rewarding part of my job as a gallerist. What distinguishes Luce from other galleries today is really our strong program of international artists and consistent discovery of new artists."

Over the years, the gallery's roster has been assembled to include artists from more than eight countries, including many hailing from the United States. The program currently excels at painting, displaying the full breadth of this medium from dynamic abstraction to hyperrealism, palpable textures to seemingly invisible brushstrokes, and often incorporates elements of mixed-media or collage used to heighten conceptual meanings. With a strong focus on providing under-recognized artists with a platform to exhibit and a partnership to provide support, we are always searching for unique talent with a distinctive quality from around the globe and in every medium.

To date, the gallery has hung seventy-seven exhibitions, participated in sixty-five art fairs across Europe and North America, and helped organize several well-received institutional shows for our artists, including a recent solo show of Zéh Palito's work at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Querétaro in Mexico. Luce Gallery has distinguished itself through its unwavering commitment to emerging artists for fifteen years, and this show encapsulates that vision.

Included in the nineteen newly made artworks on view are a selection of works by artists who have collaborated with the gallery the longest, including a 1970's inspired portrait by Robert Davis, two floral still-life paintings —composed with his signature single-use plastic technique—on panel by Hugo McCloud, a tranquil leisure landscape by Peter Mohall, and featuring a playful sculpture by Derek Fordjour of upturned legs precariously balancing a glass yellow ball. In recent years, other noteworthy artists such as Dominic Chambers, Ryan Cosbert, Yowshien Kuo, Johanna Mirabel, Demarco Mosby, Ludovic Nkoth, Collins Obijiaku, and Zéh Palito have joined the fold. Each brings a distinct 'language' of painting incorporating elements of surrealism, portraiture, and abstraction, expressing the complexities of race, gender, humanity, and memory. Additionally, the newest members to the program include two artists inspired by the landscape, Connie Harrison creating dense abstracted gardens both painted and excavated from oil and wax layers, and Francesco Pirazzi harnessing the mysterious nature of light in a surrealist style, with both artists debuting their solo shows later this year.

When viewed collectively, the artworks in Fifteen Years narrate a tale of the strength of Luce's program and the significance of the gallerist-artist relationship. Here, their devotion to creation is matched with our belief in their talent and abilities. We would also like to reserve a moment to thank our collectors—small and institutional—who have supported both our artists and this gallery's vision every step of the way. Thank you for joining Luce Gallery as we embrace this milestone with open arms and toast to now and to the next Fifteen Years! Salute!

Dominic Chambers (American, b.1993) is a New Haven-based artist originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He paints introspective scenes that illustrate both the interior and exterior self and how this duality co-exists using a bold, vibrant palette. Chamber's surrealist-inspired work draws on both historical and art historical references and is grounded in his experiences as a Black man.

Ryan Cosbert (American, b.1999) is a Brooklyn-based conceptual artist working in abstraction. Her work draws from her Haitian and Guyanese heritage, humanistic experiences, self- expression, political issues, and rigorously researched historical narratives of the African diaspora. Cosbert skillfully explores the repercussions of subjugation and oppression experienced by the Black community, often shedding light on overlooked Black historical figures, shared experiences, and profound beliefs.

Robert Davis (American, b.1970) was born in Virginia and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. His hyperrealistic paintings and drawings depict nostalgic scenes from the 1970s, often recalling images from popular culture or his vivid childhood memories. Davis' work invites viewers to reflect on the past, encouraging them to form deep personal connections to the subjects and spaces he portrays.

Derek Fordjour (American, b.1974) is an interdisciplinary artist of Ghanaian heritage who works across painting, sculpture, collage, video/film, and installation. Inspired by athletes, musicians, performers, and other Black cultural creators, Fordjour's artworks explore the vast physical possibilities of the human body while anchoring each subject within a broad social commentary. His works feature colorful, textural surfaces paired with energetic subjects, creating a seamless blend of physicality and conceptuality that evokes complex emotions.

Connie Harrison (British, b.1993) is a painter based in London who specializes in vibrant abstracted landscapes. Her technique involves overlaying multiple compositions of oil paint and wax, which she then carves to reveal underlying depths. This process serves as a metaphor for nature's natural rhythms and life cycles. As Harrison works, different parts of the surface evolve in texture, opacity, and color, creating movement and adding physical depth to the painting, as if simulating growth.

Yowshien Kuo (American, b.1985) is a St. Louis-based painter whose surrealist work blends his experiences as a Taiwanese American with historical references that comment on social and racial inequality, cultural constructs, sexuality, and the human condition. Incorporating Asian- American figures with American Western undertones, Kuo conveys universal experiences and traditions through detailed narratives and symbolism.

Hugo McCloud (American, b.1980) is a self-taught artist based in Los Angeles. Drawn to unconventional materials, he creates detailed representational works using his technique of 'painting' with single-use plastic bags that fuse industrial products with traditional painting, collage, and printmaking techniques. By using ubiquitous materials like single-use plastic, both McCloud's materials and subject matter directly address issues of labor, geopolitics, and environmental concerns, providing us with a deeper connection to our humanity.

Johanna Mirabel (French, b.1991) is a Paris-based painter whose work explores the intimate connection between our inner thoughts and interior spaces. By combining symbolic hues, tropical plants, household objects, and suggestions of exterior spaces with detailed portraits, the artist creates deeply intimate works that explore the immersive and transportive experience of recalling a memory. Her work draws from her French Guyanese and Martinique-Guadalupe heritage, sociological and philosophical writings, and historical references to Western art.

Peter Mohall (Swedish, b.1979) is a Swedish-born, Norwegian-based artist working in painting. His work explores the history and medium of painting as a subject and how each element contributes to our rich emotional experiences. His scenes of leisure, with picturesque Scandinavian backdrops, are painted on tactile jute surfaces with rich, palpable colors. Mohall further invites viewers into his artistic process by neatly arranging each color from his palette onto his signature acrylic brushstroke casts.

Demarco Mosby (American, b.1991) is a New York City-based figurative painter originally from Kansas City, Missouri. His work is narrative-based and uses the human figure to mirror and reveal the weight and complexity of life's everyday tribulations. By incorporating his symbolic vocabulary of objects like birds, ropes, rocks, and tumultuous landscapes into each composition, Mosby creates layered narratives that aptly visualize the complexity and disorientation of our emotional states.

Ludovic Nkoth (Cameroonian-American, b.1994) is a Cameroonian-American painting artist who now lives and works in New York. Known for fluid figurative works created with undulating heavy brushstrokes, Nkoth infuses his personal life as a Black immigrant with ruminations on family history, tradition, and the legacy of colonialism onto the canvas to manifest the essence of the Black experience.

Collins Obijiaku (Nigerian, b.1995) is a self-taught artist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He employs portraiture to examine the depths, truths, and complexities of humanity, using friends, family, and locals as his sitters. Each expressive gaze is further accentuated by his signature winding charcoal line work, which weaves throughout the sitter's face, reminiscent of 'mapping' their life journey.

Zéh Palito (Brazilian, b.1986) is a figure painter whose vibrant, joyful works celebrate Black culture. With studios in both Baltimore, MD, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, Palito researches neglected histories and gives them visibility in the canon, with each figure represented as a confident protagonist. His work is embedded with details referencing popular culture and traditional Brazilian fruits and flora to further radiate both beauty and joy.

Francesco Pirazzi (Italian, b.1994) is a painting and drawing artist who lives and works in Turin, Italy. His surreal yet quiet Italian-inspired land and cityscapes explore the profound power of light, using it to refocus the viewer's experience of reality to evoke both familiar and mysterious sensations.

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