Phillip Taaffe's Symmetrical Works on Paper at Gagosian New York

Phillip Taaffe's exhibition at Gagosian's New York location from January 16 to February 20 features nearly 70 works on paper showcasing his mastery of symmetry and decorative techniques. The show highlights Taaffe's use of marbling and folding methods, with traditional endpaper marbling creating optical bleeds reminiscent of artists like Kurt Strahm and Ross Bleckner. About half the pieces combine marbling with linocut motifs, while others employ Rorschach-style mirror folding to produce skull and spine imagery. Three mandalas with eight-part symmetry serve as the centerpiece, displaying complex hierarchical patterns. Taaffe's work references natural science diagrams, alchemical symbolism, and world ornament, drawing comparisons to Bruce Conner's inkblot totems and Grateful Dead album covers. The artist's titles, such as 'Island of Fernanando Po' and 'Nepenthe,' evoke a contemporary vanitas aesthetic. His approach challenges notions of ornamentation through efficient production techniques, creating visual overload with laborsaving devices.