Studio Visit

About

Damian Elwes (b. 1960, London) began his career in the 1980s as a graffiti artist in New York City. He was later convinced to turn to painting by the renowned street and pop artist, Keith Haring. Elwes’ works were singled out by famed London gallerist, Robert Fraser, and were included in a 1984 exhibition at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh alongside pieces by Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Elwes eventually became drawn to representations of the artist’s studio. He subsequently moved to Paris between the years of 1986-87 where he began seeking out studios for artistic material. In 2018, his solo exhibition at the Musée en Herbe in Paris attracted over 100,000 visitors. In 2019, Elwes paintings were exhibited alongside works by Eugène Delacroix at the Musée Delacroix in Paris. He was recently the focus of a full-length feature article in Vogue Portugal’s April 2024 issue.Unit is thrilled to announce Studio Visit (8 July- 13 September), the latest solo exhibition by the acclaimed British artist Damian Elwes. This eagerly anticipated show continues Elwes' renowned exploration of iconic artists and their studios, delving deeply into the heart of human creativity, with 17 new artworks on display.

Damian Elwes' fascination with the studios of legendary artists like Francis Bacon, Edvard Munch, Henri Matisse, Damien Hirst, and Frida Kahlo is both meticulous and imaginative. His latest exhibition, Studio Visit, is a rich tapestry of these creative spaces, each one meticulously researched and brought to life through his vibrant and immersive paintings. This unique series of 17 new paintings offers an intimate glimpse into the environments where these artists' masterpieces were conceived, capturing the essence of their creative processes.

Elwes' journey into the world of artists' studios began in Paris between 1986 and 1987, where he sketched the studios of contemporary artists. This early work not only affirmed the enduring relevance of painting during an era dominated by conceptual art but also allowed Elwes to map out an artist's thought process at specific moments in time. In Studio Visit, these spaces transcend their physical boundaries to become powerful symbols of creativity and intimate psychological portraits of their occupants.

A poignant element of the exhibition is Elwes' depiction of Keith Haring's studio in New York during the 1980s. It was at this time that Haring encouraged Damian to start painting. Elwes' portrayal includes touching details of their friendship. Among Haring's vibrant tools and artworks, two empty green chairs symbolise the deep conversations they shared, adding a layer of personal history to the exhibit. Studio Visit offers viewers a rare opportunity to step into the often-hidden spaces of artistic creation, preserving the legacy of these environments that might otherwise be forgotten or lost to time. Each painting is a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of artistic inspiration.

Damian Elwes (b. 1960, London) began his career in the 1980s as a graffiti artist in New York City. He was later convinced to turn to painting by the renowned street and pop artist, Keith Haring. Elwes’ works were singled out by famed London gallerist, Robert Fraser, and were included in a 1984 exhibition at the Fruitmarket Gallery in Edinburgh alongside pieces by Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Elwes eventually became drawn to representations of the artist’s studio. He subsequently moved to Paris between the years of 1986-87 where he began seeking out studios for artistic material. In 2018, his solo exhibition at the Musée en Herbe in Paris attracted over 100,000 visitors. In 2019, Elwes paintings were exhibited alongside works by Eugène Delacroix at the Musée Delacroix in Paris. He was recently the focus of a full-length feature article in Vogue Portugal’s April 2024 issue.