Regen Projects is proud to unveil Dark-Pivot, a compelling new exhibition showcasing the first solo show of London-based artist Rachel Jones in Los Angeles. This display of modern art challenges viewers with innovative paintings that blur the lines between traditional figurative and abstract representation. Through a creative interplay of negative space, bold color palettes, and dynamic motifs drawn from popular cartoons, Jones redefines traditional approaches to landscape painting and bodily forms. The exhibition is not only a visual feast for art enthusiasts but also a profound exploration of how the human form can be reinterpreted in unexpected ways.
About the Artist: Rachel Jones and Her Impact on Modern Art
Rachel Jones, born in 1991 in London, UK, is a rising star in the realm of contemporary art. With a solid academic foundation that includes a BA in Fine Art from the Glasgow School of Art (2013) and an MA in Fine Art from the Royal Academy Schools (2019), Jones has rapidly become known for her innovative approach to painting. Her work has been exhibited internationally at prominent venues such as the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco, Long Museum in Shanghai, and Chisenhale Gallery in London.
A Trailblazer in Contemporary Painting
Jones’s dynamic approach and fearless exploration of modern themes have garnered critical acclaim and established her as a key figure in contemporary art. Her exhibitions have been featured in renowned institutions including the Hirshhorn Museum, Hammer Museum, and The Hepworth Wakefield, among others. In addition to her exhibitions, Jones has participated in influential artist residencies at The Chinati Foundation in Marfa and the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Her diverse body of work extends to performance art, with recent projects such as an operatic piece titled Hey, Maudie, and the innovative design of the BRIT Awards 2024 trophy.
About the Exhibition: Dark-Pivot at Regen Projects
Dark-Pivot is an exhibition that captivates with its sheer originality and artistic daring. Running from April 5 to May 10, 2025, at Regen Projects, this show marks a significant milestone for both the gallery and Rachel Jones, as it is her debut solo exhibition with the renowned Los Angeles institution. The show includes press previews, an opening reception, and regular gallery hours to ensure art lovers have ample opportunity to immerse themselves in Jones's world and works.
Key Exhibition Dates and Gallery Hours
- Press Preview with the Artist: Saturday, April 5, 11:00 am
- Opening Reception: Saturday, April 5, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Innovative Artistic Themes: Pushing the Boundaries of Perception
Rachel Jones's work in Dark-Pivot poses thought-provoking questions about the human body and its representation in art. The exhibition’s paintings delve into the interplay between form and function, using them to challenge viewer's preconceptions about how bodily forms and their movements can be reinterpreted when removed from therir conventional contexts. By integrating motifs from everyday culture, such as cartoons, and combining them with her refined artistic techniques, Jones creates an immersive environment where symbolism and reality converge.
Exploring Negative Space and Color Dynamics
One of the most striking features of Dark-Pivot is Jones's masterful use of negative space. Instead of relying solely on traditional subject-background relationships, the artist introduces vast voids that serve as both a canvas and a counterpoint to her vivid imagery. This intentional absence of certain details allows viewers to project their own interpretations onto the work, allowing for a more dynamic interaction between the painting and its audience.
In addition, the innovative color palette employed in the exhibition is a key driver of its visual impact. Dominated by oranges, blues, and whites, accented by electrifying neon tones, each color is imbued with symbolic meaning. White is deployed to evoke decay or entropy, while splashes of red invigorate the composition by highlighting elements such as tongues and lips. This delicate balance of energy and subtlety is core to Jones's ability to map out complex emotional landscapes on a single canvas.
The Power of Symbolism: Mouths, Bricks, and Beyond
Throughout Dark-Pivot, one recurring motif is the mouth, a symbol that has become synonymous with Rachel Jones's signature style. In these works, mouths serve as a visual cipher, representing the inner psychological world of the body. Jones utilizes them not merely as facial features but as gateways to understanding deeper emotions and hidden thoughts. The recurring use of open mouths in her paintings suggests access, exposure, and a raw, unfiltered state of being that invites introspection.
Bricks as Metaphors for Structure and Stability
Complementing the organic forms of the mouths, Jones introduces brick imagery as a metaphor for solidity, structure, and the building blocks of physical reality. In several large-scale works, bricks are strategically placed on the canvas to evoke a sense of order amid the fluid and ever-changing color washes that dominate the canvases. One monumental painting, stretching over eight feet tall, features bricks stacked along the lower half of the canvas like the foundations of a building. This deliberate spatial division creates a visual boundary of contrast between the tangible elements of the physical world with the ethereal, abstract elements in the upper section of the piece.
The use of bricks is not accidental or random. Inspired in part by the work of late Chinese-American painter Martin Wong, who famously incorporated bricks to depict floating hearts and enclosures, Jones reinterprets this symbol to explore themes of rigidity versus fluidity. By juxtaposing the geometric precision of bricks with the unpredictable energy of open, expressive forms, Jones invites viewers to consider the complexity inherent in every structure, whether physical, emotional, or conceptual, and the limitations imposed by only perceiving one facet at a time.
The Creative Process: From Canvas to Concept
Departing from the strictness traditional wisdom, Jones has chosen to include untouched linen as part of her Dark-Pivot paintings. This approach serves dual purposes: it anchors the works to a traditional aesthetic while simultaneously introducing an element of indeterminacy through the use of truly negative space. The pristine, unaltered surface of the linen becomes a new voice in the creative dialogue, allowing the unpredictable swerve of human desire and emotion to imprint itself onto the fabric of the work. Like adding a brand new color to her palette, this approach has provided new approaches for Jones to embody her core themes.
Unpredictable Compositions that Pulse with Life
The exhibition is a testament to the artist's ability to capture the ephemeral nature of human emotion and desire. Each brushstroke is charged with energy, creating compositions that practically pulse and glow with vitality. Jones's work reflects a continuous evolution of raw feelings that circulate and coalesce on the canvas, passed through a filter that invites understanding but doesn't divulge its secrets casually. This dynamic interplay of form, color, and space is what sets Dark-Pivot apart from conventional exhibitions, transforming it into an experience that is both visually and emotionally resonant.
A Closer Look at the Color Palette and Composition
In Dark-Pivot, the color choices are not simply a decorative elements of contrast and visual appeal, but a powerful narrative tool. Rachel Jones employs a sophisticated interplay of hues to articulate themes of decay, chaos, and renewal that ebb, flow and crash on the canvas. The predominant use of oranges, blues, and whites creates a dramatic tension that is further heightened by the infusion of neon accents. This vibrant combination works on multiple levels: it energizes the viewer’s senses while allowing for thoughtful contemplation as viewers peel back the layers and dwell within the work.
The Role of White: Emblem of Decay and Transformation
White, in Jones’s work, takes on a paradoxical role that almost sets it against itself. While often associated with purity and light, in Dark-Pivot it symbolizes decay and entropy. This duality is further enriched by the juxtaposition of red elements, such as tongues or lips, which inject a sense of urgency and awakening into the painting. The interplay between these colors results in a rich tapestry of meaning that invites repeated contemplation and interpretation, while the departure from and leverage of traditional color theory conjures new interpretations and new approaches for for exploration.
Geometric Precision Versus Organic Fluidity
Another defining feature of the exhibition is the careful balance between geometric precision and organic fluidity. The structured placement of bricks provides a counterpoint to the spontaneous energy of the open mouths and flowing color fields. This deliberate contrast not only underscores the thematic tension between structure and chaos but also serves to highlight the intricate relationship between the body and its environment in a constantly evolving artistic dialogue.
Artistic Influences and Cultural References
Rachel Jones's Dark-Pivot is steeped in cultural references and artistic influences that add layers of depth to the exhibition. The use of cartoon-inspired imagery, such as references to Looney Tunes, injects a playful yet thought-provoking element into the works. These elements bridge the gap between childhood nostalgia and contemporary artistic expression, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.
Influences from the Art World and Beyond
Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of sources, Jones infuses her work with subtle nods to both modern and traditional art practices. Her references to the work of Martin Wong, particularly his innovative use of bricks, underscore the continuous evolution of artistic expression across generations. Furthermore, the incorporation of motifs that evoke a sense of humor and curiosity aligns her work with current trends in contemporary art, making Dark-Pivot an exhibition that resonates with a wide audience.
Exhibition Details and Practical Information
Regen Projects is dedicated to ensuring that visitors have all the necessary details to fully enjoy Dark-Pivot. The exhibition is hosted in a welcoming, state-of-the-art gallery space in Los Angeles, designed to enhance the immersive experience of contemporary art. In addition to the scheduled press preview and opening reception, the gallery offers regular viewing hours to accommodate art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Visitor Information
- Exhibition Dates: April 5 to May 10, 2025
- Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Press Preview: Saturday, April 5 at 11:00 am
- Opening Reception: Saturday, April 5 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Patrons are encouraged to experience this groundbreaking exhibition at a time that best suits them.
Future Projects and Ongoing Contributions to the Art World
Rachel Jones continues to push artistic boundaries, with several exciting projects on the horizon. A forthcoming solo exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery in London, scheduled from June 10 to October 19, 2025, promises to further explore the themes of transformation, identity, and the interplay between traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Jones’s participation in both group exhibitions and solo shows around the globe underscores her commitment to evolving the narrative of modern art and influencing future generations of artists.
Her works, included in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Tate in London, stand as a testament to her enduring impact on the art world. Through Dark-Pivot and her other projects, Rachel Jones is not only redefining artistic boundaries but also inspiring a renewed appreciation for the multifaceted nature of human expression.
Experience the Extraordinary World of Dark-Pivot
Rachel Jones’s masterful use of negative space, innovative color dynamics, and powerful symbolic motifs creates a vibrant dialogue between the known and the unknown. The exhibition invites viewers to question traditional interpretations of the human form and to explore the intricate interplay between structure and fluidity in modern art. Whether you are a seasoned art collector, a passionate enthusiast of contemporary art, or simply curious about groundbreaking creative expressions, Dark-Pivot offers an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and visually breathtaking.
We invite you to immerse yourself in this captivating exhibition and witness firsthand the revolutionary vision of Rachel Jones. Visit Regen Projects between April 5 and May 10, 2025, to experience Dark-Pivot and discover a new dimension of modern art that is sure to ignite your imagination. For further details, press inquiries, or to schedule a private viewing, please contact the team at +1 310 276 5424 or email press@regenprojects.com. Embrace the future of contemporary art, your next artistic adventure awaits!
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