george condo renders experimental ‘bizarre characters’ for dual NYC exhibition ‘pastels’

A show spanning Two new york galleries

George Condo’s exhibition, Pastels, presented at Hauser & Wirth and Sprüth Magers in New York City, offers a rare opportunity to witness the artist’s dynamic approach to the medium of pastel. This two-part showcase highlights Condo’s ability to push the limits of improvisation, resulting in works that seek to render the complexities of the human psyche.

In this new series of portraits, Condo experiments with gesso, expansive fields of color, and bold pastel gestures — all executed without preparatory sketches. By forgoing traditional planning, the artist captures fleeting thoughts and emotions, embodying the fragmented and elusive nature of the mind. His approach bridges abstraction and figuration, offering viewers a novel perspective on visual storytelling.

puzzle-like pastels by george condos

At Hauser & Wirth, George Condo presents a series of portraits featuring what he refers to as his ‘bizarre characters.’ These figures are defined by fragmented visages pieced together with vibrant geometric planes. The jagged, electric energy of these compositions underscores the complexity and conflict inherent in human consciousness. The works invite viewers to navigate the splintered yet cohesive narratives embedded within each piece.

Meanwhile, Sprüth Magers hosts a complementary selection of works, including frenzied color compositions and black-and-white pastels marked by deliberate drips and spatters of pigment. In these pieces, Condo shifts away from figurative elements, focusing instead on gesture, line, and rhythm. Titles such as Centrifuge, Open Forms, No Direction Home, and Chaotic Combustion suggest a meditation on fluidity and internal tumult.

Together, the works at both galleries form a cohesive visual essay on Condo’s unparalleled draftsmanship and mastery of material. The artist embraces abstraction and figuration simultaneously to bring a thought-provoking exploration of human emotion through the medium of pastel. This dual exhibition emphasizes Condo’s exceptional sense of color and composition. While the dual show opened at both galleries on January 29th, Pastels will be on view at Sprüth Magers until March 1st, 2025, and on view at Hauser & Wirth until April 12th, 2025.

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project info:

exhibition: Pastels

artist: George Condo | @artistgeorgecondo

gallery: Hauser & Wirth | @hauserwirth & Sprüth Magers | @spruethmagers

location: 542 West 22nd Street, New York, NY

on view (Hauser & Wirth): January 29th — April 12th, 2025

on view (Sprüth Magers): January 29th — March 1st, 2025

photographer: © Matt Grubb | @mattgrubb.americas.waffle