Culver, Los Angeles
Nigel Howlett
Means of Opposites
Anat EbgiNigel Howlett is a London-based artist whose monochromatic drawings and paintings focus on anonymous, futuristic characters. His minimal and recognizable style draws on elements of the surreal and uncanny to explore complexities and nuances of human experience. Fear, love, violence; we witness Howlett’s ensemble in the midst of high drama expressed through emotional and referential poses, yet much is left to ponder as we examine these faceless figures. In our era of avatars, facial recognition software, and artificial intelligence, Howlett’s figures suggest a post-human or cyborgian future. Devoid of discreet identity markers, his figures move through a sleek, seemingly frictionless world. Perhaps advancements in technology birthed this world. Either way, as the works in the exhibition reveal, patterns continue, conflicts (internal and external) unfold in forms symbolic and pictoral. Nigel Howlett (b. 1979, England) received his BA in Fine Art from the University of East London, (UEL, London, UK). In 2021 he exhibited his work in a solo exhibition at Ojiri gallery in London, UK. Selected group exhibitions include Ramp Gallery, London, UK; Woaw Gallery, Hong Kong; and Studio 1.1, London, UK. Anat Ebgi’s presentation of his work at the Felix Art Fair earlier this year, marked the artist’s debut in the United States. Howlett lives and works in London, UK.