Heavens and the Earth. Bosco Sodi

About

Sodi (b.1970 Mexico City, MX) is predominantly known for his roughly-textured relief paintings. In this new series he brings together two contrasting colours in the same composition for the first time, in reference to universal notions of opposing forces. The paintings combine pure black and white pigments with glue and organic material, such as sawdust or natural fibres. Calling to mind geographical features, they are formed as a result of environmental conditions over time. The exhibition takes its title from The Book of Genesis andin the accompanying catalogue Dr Aaron Rosen explains that ‘As much as (Sodi) is fascinated by the factors which contribute to change, his deeper questions revolve around the very nature and necessity of creation... Toapprehend the significance of this act, Sodi is no longer content to delve into the earth’s prehistory. His mostrecent works seek to dig beneath time, to the moment of genesis itself.’

Sodi’s reverence for raw materials and natural processes draws from wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that embraces imperfection and reveres natural authenticity above all. The paintings are the outcome of an intensively physical process in which experimentation and chance play an important role. Laying the canvas horizontally, Sodi sculpturally layers his paint mixture, by hand over several days, stopping at the first signs of cracking. He then gives the process over to time and the elements, as the work dries and fissures form across its surface.

With studios in Mexico, New York and Barcelona, Sodi’s paintings are site-specific in that the external conditions of each location - weather, temperature, humidity - all determine how the work ultimately looks.This organic process is central to Sodi’s philosophy, ‘It’s about embracing the accident, embracing the non- control, embracing the passing of time and working with organic materials.’

The catalogue that accompanies the exhibition is published as a limited edition of 500 copies with 12 silkscreen cover variations, all signed by the artist.

Sodi is the founder of Fundación Casa Wabi, a foundation that takes its name and guiding principles from wabi-sabi, supporting fellow artists and developing new opportunities for art education in Mexico. Running concurrent to Heavens and the Earth, Sodi co-curates an exhibition at Blain|Southern alongside Casa Wabi’sformer chief curator, Alberto Ríos. Featuring 9 contemporary abstract artists from Mexico, many of whom have undertaken residencies at Casa Wabi, Approaching Abstraction takes place on the lower ground floor at