ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Tyler Mitchell's Chrysalis exhibition at Gagosian London explores Black identity and landscape

exhibition · 2026-04-20

Tyler Mitchell's inaugural solo exhibition in the UK is currently on display at Gagosian Davies Street in London, featuring his Chrysalis series, which runs until November 12. This showcase highlights diptychs that delve into themes of Black presence and absence within natural environments, drawing inspiration from Toni Morrison's 1977 work Song of Solomon and W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of double-consciousness. Hailing from Atlanta, Mitchell reflects on his childhood experiences in parks and rural areas. Notable pieces include Distillation, A Glint of Possibility, and the triptych Protect from all Elements. His previous series, Dreaming in Real Time (2021), features works like Riverside Scene and Georgia Hillside (Redlining), addressing historical injustices while offering a hopeful perspective on Black liberation in nature.

Key facts

  • Tyler Mitchell's first UK solo exhibition is at Gagosian Davies Street in London
  • The exhibition features the Chrysalis series from 2022
  • The show runs through November 12
  • Mitchell pairs large idyllic scenes with smaller expressionistic photos as diptychs
  • The work references Toni Morrison's 1977 novel Song of Solomon
  • W.E.B. Du Bois's concept of double-consciousness informs the series
  • Mitchell grew up in Atlanta and explores Southern landscapes
  • Some photographs reference African-American studio photography traditions

Entities

Artists

  • Tyler Mitchell
  • Toni Morrison
  • W.E.B. Du Bois
  • Georges Seurat
  • Richard Samuel Roberts
  • Hanif Abdurraqib

Institutions

  • Gagosian
  • Artreview

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Atlanta
  • United States
  • South Carolina
  • Paris
  • France

Sources