Here at Artnet Gallery Network, we are constantly discovering new artists and finding interesting galleries to follow. And like every month, we’ve gone through all the shows we’ve come across and rounded up five amazing artists who piqued our interest the most. This month we’ve included artists who travel from Peru to England, and most currently have exhibitions lined up so you can see their work in person.
Be sure to keep an eye out for our artists to watch next month, but remember, as your main resource for discovering art and artists, you can also search the thousands of artists, galleries and artwork on the Artnet gallery network and find something new or an everlasting favorite!
James Owen in Setareh, Dusseldorf
James Owens, A study of two garments hanging in a display case (2023). Courtesy of Setareg, Düsseldorf.
London-based artist James Owens (b. 1995) has a practice that seems to balance delicately between the abstract and the figurative and invites prolonged gaze; where at first sight his paintings could be confused with abstractions, on closer inspection, the objects, animals or plants he represents come to the fore. His experimental and dynamic brushwork becomes as much a central element of his painting as his subjects, which range from vignettes of the everyday to the flora and fauna of the natural world. Currently, Owen’s solo exhibition “It’s All Good” is on view in Setareh, Düsseldorf, consisting of 16 paintings that demonstrate the artist’s exploratory approach to both the medium and his subjects.
Tania Franco Klein at Rosegallery, Santa Monica
Tania Franco Klein, Tunnel, (self-portrait) (2022). Courtesy of Rosegallery, Santa Monica.
Mexican artist Tania Franco-Klein (b. 1990) studied architecture in Mexico for her BA and architecture in London for her MA, and through the confluence of these experiences formed the basis of her practice artistic today. Working between photography, GIF and installation, Franco-Klein questions the emotional aspect of contemporary life, and more particularly the influence of digital ecosystems on the idea of self. Rosegallery in Santa Monica, California is currently presenting “Break in Case of Emergency”, featuring Franco-Klein’s newest project. Thematically centered on the idea of catharsis, the works presented depict surreal vignettes while evoking very real emotions.
Cindy Motley at the Art of Cindy Motley, San Juan Capistrano
Cindy Motley, Duck, duck, goose and three dancing moose (2023). Courtesy of Art by Cindy Motley, San Juan Capistrano.
Incorporating elements of craftsmanship, art history and spirituality, self-taught artist Cindy Motley creates intricate yet whimsical compositions that often feature children or families in fictional worlds. Aiming to inspire joy and highlight the fun that can be found in everyday moments, Motley’s colorful and playful works also contain a patchwork of symbolism and metaphor. With inspirations ranging from Henri Matisse and Gustav Klimt to Egyptian Revivalism and the Old Masters, and drawing from her passion for textiles and couture, Motley’s paintings are both accessible and sophisticated. This summer, you can see his works featured at the Laguna Beach Arts Festival, which opens July 5, 2023.
Jeff Bellerose at Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco
Jeff Bellerose, sea and sky (2019). Courtesy of Paul Thiebaud Gallery, San Francisco.
Originally from Boston, Jeff Bellerose (b. 1973) first studied physics and mechanical engineering, earning a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, before pursuing a career in art. The precision of lines and shapes in his paintings, which most often feature cityscapes and other forms of architecture, reflect his technical background. Regularly carrying a sketchbook and watercolours, Bellerose not only captures the formal elements of a site-specific scene, but also the atmosphere and mood of a particular moment. Bellerose’s fourth solo exhibition with San Francisco’s Paul Thiebaud Gallery, which is currently on view, features a new body of work that debuted in 2019 and features the artist’s signature architectural facade paintings as well as contemplative interior compositions.
to Freiwald at Galerie Voss, Düsseldorf
to Freiwald, Lola 2 (2022). Courtesy of Galerie Voss, Düsseldorf.
The large-scale watercolors of individual faces by Peruvian artist Till Freiwald focus not only on the pure depiction of the human face, but also on abstract ideas, emotions, and themes that can be conveyed in the genre of portraiture. Capturing what the Old Master painter Rembrandt van Rijn described as a crucial element of portraiture, a subjective yet vital “atmospheric” element can be observed in Freiwald’s technical and direct compositions. The artist’s new series of works, ‘Echo’, is on view at Voss Gallery, Düsseldorf, marking Freiwald’s fourth exhibition with the gallery. The works presented are full-face or profile portraits in which the artist has endeavored not to explicitly represent emotion. Instead of emotion, the life and human energy of the models becomes the focus.
Explore and discover more new artists to watch with the Artnet Gallery Network.
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