Tomas Leth's Pastel Paintings Challenge Perception at Matthew Brown Gallery
Tomas Leth, a Danish artist, showcases his exhibition 'The Suns of Half Sleep' at the Matthew Brown Gallery in Los Angeles until October 28. This collection features muted pastel artworks crafted with thick layers of dry and oil pastel on paper and canvas. Drawing inspiration from nighttime strolls in Copenhagen, Leth's pieces intentionally defy straightforward interpretation, pushing the boundaries of viewers' perception. While some works resemble oversized mauve poppies, like 'fingre af vaks' (2023), others bring to mind organic forms such as lichens and jellyfish. The expansive painting 'Immer' (Always, 2023) seems to evolve with subtle color variations. In a world focused on narrative clarity, Leth's enigmatic visuals present a thought-provoking contrast to language-driven content, prompting viewers to adjust their perspectives for deeper engagement.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'The Suns of Half Sleep' runs through October 28 at Matthew Brown Gallery in Los Angeles
- Danish artist Tomas Leth creates pastel paintings inspired by nocturnal walks in Copenhagen
- Works use encrusted layers of velvety dry and oil pastel on paper and canvas
- Paintings resist easy interpretation, stretching viewers' perceptual faculties
- Some works suggest floral forms while others evoke organic growths like lichens and fungi
- Large painting 'Immer' (Always, 2023) appears to continue growing as viewers observe it
- Exhibition exists in tension between verbose press release and intentionally opaque visual works
- Leth's process mirrors both viewer perception and the artist's own nocturnal visual experience
Entities
Artists
- Tomas Leth
Institutions
- Matthew Brown Gallery
- ArtReview
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Copenhagen
- Denmark