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Artist Statement
www.nathlieprovosty.com
My primary concern is the problem of creating energy through image, while simultaneously exploring the material and sculptural qualities of paint. Specific to this concern is the question: How is visual perception of everyday events and the liveliness of the imagination transformed, by means of alchemical processes, into a believable image?
Natural phenomena inform both the metaphoric and actual structure of each work. For example, within the darkest part of a beehive, beneath many layers of worker bees, is the site of construction for the hexagonal honeycomb pockets, the regurgitation of runny honey into those pockets, and the flapping of wings to evaporate that excess moisture. Telluric currents, which flow below but near the surface of the earth and through the sea, are primarily influenced by changes in the outer-most part of the earth’s magnetic field. The classical memory technique invented by Simonides and taught by Cicero requires the translation of words and ideas into images (objects, people, animals) placed into visualized spaces, to be recalled simply by walking through your mind and looking at what sits before you. These phenomena are similar in that they all involve interaction, attraction, transformation, and reflection.
The paintings originate from drawings, and the drawings are derived from specific ideas related to the kinds of natural phenomena listed above. Throughout this process I allow for intuitive and formal experimentation based on trial, error, and sustained serious looking at both the work I have made up to that point and art history. By maintaining a fixed position of curiosity, the work can continuously change, and grow.
www.nathlieprovosty.com
My primary concern is the problem of creating energy through image, while simultaneously exploring the material and sculptural qualities of paint. Specific to this concern is the question: How is visual perception of everyday events and the liveliness of the imagination transformed, by means of alchemical processes, into a believable image?
Natural phenomena inform both the metaphoric and actual structure of each work. For example, within the darkest part of a beehive, beneath many layers of worker bees, is the site of construction for the hexagonal honeycomb pockets, the regurgitation of runny honey into those pockets, and the flapping of wings to evaporate that excess moisture. Telluric currents, which flow below but near the surface of the earth and through the sea, are primarily influenced by changes in the outer-most part of the earth’s magnetic field. The classical memory technique invented by Simonides and taught by Cicero requires the translation of words and ideas into images (objects, people, animals) placed into visualized spaces, to be recalled simply by walking through your mind and looking at what sits before you. These phenomena are similar in that they all involve interaction, attraction, transformation, and reflection.
The paintings originate from drawings, and the drawings are derived from specific ideas related to the kinds of natural phenomena listed above. Throughout this process I allow for intuitive and formal experimentation based on trial, error, and sustained serious looking at both the work I have made up to that point and art history. By maintaining a fixed position of curiosity, the work can continuously change, and grow.
CV
NATHLIE PROVOSTY
Born 1981 in Cincinnati, OH. Lives and works in New York.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2011
Green(ish) Hermeticism, Gallery Diet, Miami, FL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011
Geometric Days, curated by Papo Colo, Jeanette Ingberman, and Herb Tam, Exit Art, New York, NY
Shape of the Line, curated by Amanda Schneider, Fair Folks and a Goat, New York, NY
Fist City: Logan Grider, EJ Hauser, Matt Phillips, Nathlie Provosty, Fowler Arts Collective, Brooklyn, NY
What Tornado?, curated by Elle Burchill and Andrea Monti, Microscope Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Becoming Something Found, curated by Molly Smith and Fabienne Lasserre, Jolie Laide Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Paper 2011, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
It’s All Good, Apocalypse Now, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Major Grey, Geoffrey Young Gallery, Great Barrington, MA
2010
New Paintings, curated by Renee Bovenzi, Staley/Wise Gallery, New York, NY
Please Jump Around Here, curated by Jessica Duffett, Storefront Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Dance Ghost, curated by Elisa Soliven, Vaudeville Park Space, Brooklyn, NY
It’s a Wonderful Tenth, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2009
Fresh Asphalt, curated by Eun Young Choi, Gallery Satori, New York, NY
Party at Chris’s House, curated by Phong Bui, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
It’s a Wonderful Life, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2008
Party at Phong’s House, curated by Chris Martin, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2007
MFA Thesis Exhibition, curated by Richard Torchia, The Ice Box, Philadelphia, PA
2006
Fox Family Show, curated by Matthew Suib, Fox Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
No!Show, curated by Nigel Rolfe, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Paintings, Hacienda Gallery, Mumbai, India
Indian Impressions, Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi, India
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Marie Walsh Sharpe, Space Program, NY. 2009-10
Fulbright Grant, painting, India. 2004-05
Williamsburg Paint Award. 2004
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, Montreal, Canada. 2003 and 2001
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kalm, James. “Brooklyn Dispatches.” Brooklyn Rail. June 2011.
Mason, Shana Beth. “Nathlie Provosty at Gallery Diet.” Whitehot Magazine. 31 May 2011.
Newton, Mike. “The Upheaval of History.” The Indypendent. 6 April 2011.
The Times of India: Art and Culture Section. “A Taste for India.” 13 April 2005, pg. 9.
Bombay Times. “A Scholarly Affair.” 27 March 2005, pg. 3.
Time Out Mumbai. 25 March 2005, pg. 44.
EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, MFA, 2007
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD, BFA, 2004
NATHLIE PROVOSTY
Born 1981 in Cincinnati, OH. Lives and works in New York.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2011
Green(ish) Hermeticism, Gallery Diet, Miami, FL
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2011
Geometric Days, curated by Papo Colo, Jeanette Ingberman, and Herb Tam, Exit Art, New York, NY
Shape of the Line, curated by Amanda Schneider, Fair Folks and a Goat, New York, NY
Fist City: Logan Grider, EJ Hauser, Matt Phillips, Nathlie Provosty, Fowler Arts Collective, Brooklyn, NY
What Tornado?, curated by Elle Burchill and Andrea Monti, Microscope Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Becoming Something Found, curated by Molly Smith and Fabienne Lasserre, Jolie Laide Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
Paper 2011, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
It’s All Good, Apocalypse Now, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Major Grey, Geoffrey Young Gallery, Great Barrington, MA
2010
New Paintings, curated by Renee Bovenzi, Staley/Wise Gallery, New York, NY
Please Jump Around Here, curated by Jessica Duffett, Storefront Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
Dance Ghost, curated by Elisa Soliven, Vaudeville Park Space, Brooklyn, NY
It’s a Wonderful Tenth, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2009
Fresh Asphalt, curated by Eun Young Choi, Gallery Satori, New York, NY
Party at Chris’s House, curated by Phong Bui, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
It’s a Wonderful Life, Sideshow Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2008
Party at Phong’s House, curated by Chris Martin, Janet Kurnatowski Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
2007
MFA Thesis Exhibition, curated by Richard Torchia, The Ice Box, Philadelphia, PA
2006
Fox Family Show, curated by Matthew Suib, Fox Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
No!Show, curated by Nigel Rolfe, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
2005
Paintings, Hacienda Gallery, Mumbai, India
Indian Impressions, Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts, New Delhi, India
GRANTS AND AWARDS
Marie Walsh Sharpe, Space Program, NY. 2009-10
Fulbright Grant, painting, India. 2004-05
Williamsburg Paint Award. 2004
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, Montreal, Canada. 2003 and 2001
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kalm, James. “Brooklyn Dispatches.” Brooklyn Rail. June 2011.
Mason, Shana Beth. “Nathlie Provosty at Gallery Diet.” Whitehot Magazine. 31 May 2011.
Newton, Mike. “The Upheaval of History.” The Indypendent. 6 April 2011.
The Times of India: Art and Culture Section. “A Taste for India.” 13 April 2005, pg. 9.
Bombay Times. “A Scholarly Affair.” 27 March 2005, pg. 3.
Time Out Mumbai. 25 March 2005, pg. 44.
EDUCATION
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, MFA, 2007
Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD, BFA, 2004
‘A Place of First Permission,’ oil on linen, 19 x 15 inches, 2011.
‘Ouroboros,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches, 2011.
‘Untitled (11-02),’ ink on paper, 11 1/8 x 9 inches, 2011.
‘Projection,’ oil on linen, 44 x 36 inches, 2011.
‘Untitled (11-04),’ ink on paper, 11 1/8 x 9 inches, 2011.
‘Untitled (70),’ oil and gouache on paper, 11 1/8 x 9 inches, 2010.
‘Simonides,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches, 2011.
‘Saplings,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches, 2011.
‘Existential Clown,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches, 2011.
‘Marquise,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches2011.
‘Rook,’ oil on linen, 12 x 15 inches2011.
‘Pollination,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches2011.
‘Constellation,’ oil on linen, 44 x 36 inches, 2011.
‘Tortoise,’ oil on linen, 15 x 12 inches2011.
‘Green(ish) Hermeticism,’ exhibition view, Gallery Diet, Miami, FL, 2011.Includes (from left): ‘Apiary’s Twin,’ 2011; ‘Telluric and Magnetic II,’ 2010; and ‘Telluric and Magnetic,’ 2010. All are oil on canvas, 44 x 36 inches.