Jonathan Mayers: Nostalji ki fé rékòt
Exhibition Dates: August 5–September 16, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, Aug 5 from 6–9 pm, in conjunction with White Linen Night
Gallery Location: 432 Julia Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Contact Info: 504.522.1999; arthurrogergallery.com
The Arthur Roger Gallery is pleased to present Nostalji ki fé rékòt, an exhibition of new work by Baton Rouge-based artist Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers. The exhibition will be on view at the Arthur Roger Gallery, located at 432 Julia Street, from August 5–September 16, 2023. The gallery will host an opening reception with the artists in attendance, Saturday, August 5 from 6 to 9 pm in conjunction with the White Linen Night.
Nostalji ki fé rékòt marks Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers’ second solo exhibition with the gallery. His latest collection showcases a series of small- to medium-scale, vibrant paintings, each depicting metaphorical creatures hidden in the depths of meticulously rendered Louisiana landscapes. These enigmatic beings, both alluring and eerie, draw inspiration from Louisiana folklore and serve as profound reflections on our current reality. Through his artistry, Mayers also sheds light on the delicate ecological balance, particularly in the southern region of Louisiana.
As part of an ongoing exploration of environmental issues, daily life, and ancestral heritage, Mayers delves deeper into his Creole and French roots. His inspiration derives from personal journeys to the ancestral lands in Alabama, Mississippi, and various parts of Louisiana. These travels have unearthed tales and landscapes of historical and sentimental significance, fueling his artistic expression. While some creatures remain "en kashèt" (hidden), Mayers expertly weaves his heritage with Latannyèrizm, nostalgia, and the mending of cultural identity, resulting in narrative landscape paintings that evoke powerful emotions and introspection.
Jonathan Mayers' artistry is profoundly influenced by the likes of Robert Williams, Max Ernst, and Caravaggio, drawing from the essence of nature and its enduring presence. His unique approach involves incorporating physical materials, such as sediment, collected from the places he visits into his works. These materials play a vital role in the creation of his vivid, ornate frames, which seamlessly embrace and corral his visual narratives.
Louisiana Creole artist, writer, and independent curator, Jonathan "feral opossum" Mayers, was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art from Louisiana State University in 2007 and then his Master of Fine Arts from the University of New Orleans in 2011. He attended French Immersion at Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia from both the Université (2015) and CODOFIL (2016). He has shown extensively throughout Louisiana, as well as had a number of exhibitions throughout North America. He has exhibited works in Prospect.3 and Satellites, multiple Surreal Salons, Notes from the Artistic Underground, Art I-10, and Tiercé. His work is included in the Louisiana State University Student Union Art Gallery Permanent Collection and the art collection of Université Sainte-Anne in Church Point, Nova Scotia. From 2012-18, he was co-manager and founding member of the TEN Gallery + Collective in New Orleans, LA.
For more information please contact the Arthur Roger Gallery at 504.522.1999 or visit our website at arthurrogergallery.com.
