Genesis: On Beginning

 Parny Lalont is delighted to announce the opening of its inaugural exhibition, “Genesis: On Beginning.” The gallery, in its nascent stage, has collaborated with an exceptional group of American artists to compile this anthology of growth and change. With Parny Lalont taking its first steps, the goal is to recognise the vulnerability and precariousness that the artists faced when their careers were in their early days. The works by Nick Aguayo,Tomory Dodge,Alexander Kroll and Sandeep Mukherjee all speak to a journey of metamorphosis.

Nick Aguayo’s paintings are simultaneously deeply playful and conceptually rigorous. Aguayo responds to hard edge abstraction with a “Yes, and” approach, adding in repetition through stencil marks that have a mind of their own. Nick’s interest in eccentric structure has only deepened as time has gone on. This can be seen in the early work, untitled, from 2011, where the visual scaffolding hasn’t been entirely constructed and reinforced as it is in the latest, “El Jefe,” from 2019.  

The brilliantly hued works of Tomory Dodge reflect his commitment to painterly image-making. His work began as an investigation of landscape, both real and imagined. The figures within have had their backgrounds and contexts change over time, but the vibrancy and intensity remains throughout.  Fundamental to Dodge’s practice has always been a concern with an intentional, complex surface. 

Alexander Kroll’s work manifests a relationship to visual terroir. Every relocation he has made results in a substantive change in his oeuvre. He began his artistic practice with figuration, specifically portraiture, and proceeded towards abstraction as a modality following his move to the West Coast of the US. In recent years, after his relocation to London, he has moved into a complex space which occupies both ways of working. 

Mukherjee’s early work, Untitled (Leaf Blower), 2000, explores his own corporeal existence, in pencil and acrylic, embossed on paper. The current work feels cosmic in its scope and subject matter. Sandeep’s new paintings contain a strong sense of movement and action. As we look towards the dividing line in Horizon’s Bend 1 and 2, the components appear to dance and gesture, pulling the viewer in both optically and physically. 

 The selected work of these four distinguished artists engages in a dialogue about what it means to grow and progres. While the visual language may change over the years, there is consistency of approach and practice. This is what we sought to highlight by creating “Genesis: On Beginning.” The first few flaps of wings made by a bird leaving a nest did, in fact, lead to altitude gained and distance traveled. 

We are thrilled to share these works with you today. Gratitude is owed to each and every artist for the intense commitment each has made to their work and to this exhibition. We look forward to welcoming you to our physical space in the French Caribbean, beginning January 2025. In the interim, enjoy this exhibit, which is a labour of love. 

Ariel Drouault

Parny Lalont

Nick Aguayo

El Jefe, 2019,

Acrylic and marble dust on canvas,

60" x 48" (152.4 x 121.92 centimetres)

Courtesy of the artist and Vielmetter Los Angeles

Tomory Dodge

"Beta Max", 2022,

Oil on Canvas.

16 x 14 inches (40.64 x 35.56 cm)

Tomory Dodge

“Tree” 2020,

22x18 inches, 55.88 x 45.72 cm

Oil on Canvas

Tomory Dodge

“Tractor”, 2015,

14 x 16 inches (35.56 x 40.64 cm)

oil on canvas

Alexander Kroll

Felix in Space, 2023

Oil on linen

59” x 39.4” (150 x 100 centimetres)

Alexander Kroll

Mango, 2023

Oil on linen

15.7” × 19.7” (40 × 50 cm)

Alexander Kroll

Rolando Villazón, 2006

Oil and acrylic on linen

22” x 30” (55.9 x 76.2 centimetres)

Sandeep Mukherjee

Eroded Thicket 8, 2023,

Acrylic and alcohol on duralene,

18 x 18 inches (45.72 x 45.72 centimetres)

Born in Pune, India, Sandeep Mukherjee lives and works in Los Angeles. He received his MFA from UCLA (1999) and a BFA from Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles (1996). Since 2006, he has been a Professor of Art at Pomona College, CA. 

CV