Anat Ebgi is pleased to announce “Teacups,” an exhibition of new paintings by Los Angeles artist Robert Russell. On view at 2660 S La Cienega Blvd, through March 6, 2021. This is Russell’s third solo exhibition with the gallery.

Robert Russell Teacup #8, 2020

Robert Russell consistently addresses ideas of memory, iconography, and mortality in a personal language that is attentive to beauty, the history of painting, and the role of photography. Best known for his photorealism, Russell’s latest paintings are marked by a distinct soft focus indicative of the tenderness, personal affection, and emotional depth with which he approaches his subject. Set against a field of velvety black and decorated with blooming flowers, the gleaming porcelain bouquets seem to invoke the poignancy of memento mori and vanitas paintings, reminders of life’s fragility.

Through his considerate treatment of space and perspective, Russell carefully renders the teacups at such an enlarged scale that to approach the paintings is to shake loose the subject matter, to step into abstraction, to slip into a void. The picture falls apart into flourishes of brushstroke and tonal shifts. The dexterity of the work’s painterly execution is apparent. The luminous flowers on each cup require different painting techniques, creating a juxtaposition of styles throughout the gallery. Pure white marks indicate the camera flash light source and bring into sharp contrast the light absorbing matte black background.

On view: January 23 – March 6, 2021

What: “Teacups,” Robert Russell
Where: Anat Ebgi, 2660 S La Cienega Blvd., LA, 90034
When: By appointment
Website: https://anatebgi.com/