David Zwirner announces Rose Wylie’s exhibition “When Found Becomes Given” in London, featuring new and recent paintings. This showcase merges personal and historical motifs, extending into her artistic legacy. The exhibition runs from 3rd April to 23rd May 2025, leading into Wylie’s solo show at the Royal Academy of Arts in 2026.
David Zwirner has announced the exhibition “When Found Becomes Given,” showcasing Rose Wylie’s new and recent paintings in London. The display includes diverse canvases and multipanel works blending personal and historical themes. This exhibition precedes Wylie’s upcoming solo show at the Royal Academy of Arts in February 2026.
Wylie’s artwork features vibrant, recognisable compositions that defy simple categorisation. They offer sophisticated explorations of visual representation. The artist often uses alternative compositional methods while exploring various motifs, creating harmonious images that reflect her artistic insight. According to curator Tanja Boon, her works illustrate “the artist’s ability to absorb powerful impressions from her immediate surroundings” while showcasing her expansive cultural awareness.
The exhibition examines the transition from discovering art to its acceptance as canonical. Notable works, such as “Lilith” and “Gucci Boy” (2024), merge ancient narratives with contemporary elements. Wylie’s artwork pays tribute to Lilith’s strength, replacing Adam with a modern model and referencing a Babylonian plaque from the British Museum.
In “Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream” (2023), Wylie explores the biblical tale of a dream interpreted over centuries. Her contrasting palette draws from historical masters like El Greco and Manet. In “Opera Singer & Teapot” (2024), the colour choices evoke the era of soprano Lily Pons while connecting personal and public histories.
Wylie’s earlier works provide insight into her development. In “A Dream” (2024), she portrays herself cleaning the floor, while “Dinner Outside” (2024) contrasts scenes before and after an event, integrating dot motifs that reference nature. She comments, “The painting reminds me of a map… where the resident-artist has recorded… about some newly found ‘peoples.'”
Older paintings like “Yellow Henry” (1996) highlight Wylie’s reflective style and her connections to family history through art. The titular character is King Henry IV, linked to the biography by her grandfather.
The exhibition “When Found Becomes Given” runs from 3rd April to 23rd May 2025 at David Zwirner London, celebrating Rose Wylie’s innovative artistic journey and its interplay of history and personal narrative.
Rose Wylie’s “When Found Becomes Given” at David Zwirner London showcases her vibrant, multifaceted paintings. The exhibition blends personal reflections with historical insights, exemplified in works that draw from mythology and contemporary culture. Exploring themes of discovery and representation, Wylie’s art bridges personal and public spheres while honouring her familial legacy. The exhibition opens from 3rd April to 23rd May 2025, in anticipation of her upcoming Royal Academy show.
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