PANAME: Nick Smith

Overview
PANAME, Nick Smith
RHODES is delighted to present PANAME, a new exhibition by leading contemporary artist Nick Smith, debuting this spring at our gallery in Fitzrovia.

This exhibition celebrates Paris, a city that sparked Smith's passion for art during a memorable school trip at the age of 16, and became a recurring muse in his work. Through PANAME, Smith explores his deep connection with Paris, a city synonymous with artistic innovation, by offering a series of vibrant reinterpretations of its most iconic artworks.

 

Nick Smith employs his signature pixelated colour-chip style to deconstruct and transform familiar images into vivid, abstract mosaics. This novel approach not only revitalises well-known artworks but also challenges viewers to reconsider these visual narratives through a contemporary lens.

 

Key highlights of the exhibition include a pixelated reinterpretation of 'Liberty Leading the People', where Delacroix's impassioned representation of revolution is paired with Victor Hugo’s vivid descriptions from Les Misérables, infused with a modern colour palette that emphasises emotional resonance over traditional realism. In a similar vein, Duchamp’s 'Fountain' is reimagined as a series of colour blocks, transforming the 3D sculpture into a 2D collage, thus reversing the concept of the readymade by returning it to a more traditional art form.

 

Reflecting on his artistic journey, Smith recalls his foundational experiences in Paris, stating, "My love for Paris began at the age of 16 during a school trip to explore the art housed in its museums. That unforgettable experience marked the best trip of my life up to that point. Since then, I've lost count of my visits. Each time I land in Paris, I eagerly join the carousel of art tourism, moving through my favourite galleries and museums like a flâneur on an art conveyor belt."

 

The title PANAME, an affectionate slang term for Paris, was inspired by Smith’s interactions during a recent visit to the city, where he scoured museums to select the works featured. He explains, "My recent trip to Paris was marked by a singular focus: to source works to be included in this exhibition, effectively creating a hall of fame. I had to study each work in person, to absorb the colours and grasp the scale before reinterpreting them in my studio."

 

Through PANAME, Smith bridges historical and contemporary artistic aesthetics, prompting audiences to reflect on how an image's identity can be altered yet still remain recognisable. This innovative technique casts iconic artworks in a new light, portraying them not as relics of the past but as dynamic sources of inspiration relevant to today's society. 

 

"By blending the historical gravitas of Parisian art with the immediacy of modern digital techniques, I aim to highlight the enduring relevance of these masterpieces, thus fostering a dialogue that spans centuries”

 

The exhibition not only showcases Smith’s artistic prowess but also serves as a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, resonating with a diverse contemporary audience and echoing the artist's lifelong enchantment with Paris.

Works
News
Back to exhibitions