Artist Lorna Simpson’s latest exhibition, Earth & Sky, delves into the unseen forces that shape our human experience. Opening at Hauser & Wirth, New York, from November 2, 2024, through January 11, 2025, the exhibition explores themes of identity, history, and existence.
In Earth & Sky, Simpson presents a collection of expansive paintings and a striking text-based sculpture. Her work combines reflections on the natural world with contemplations on human conflict. Inspired by the 1929 textbook Minerals from Earth and Sky, Simpson’s grand canvases weave a narrative connecting the wonders of the universe to human struggles. Using silvery greys and inky blacks, her paintings evoke both the beauty of geological landscapes and the darkness of man-made destruction.
Simpson’s artwork is enhanced by the atmosphere of the gallery, creating a near-sacred experience for viewers. She juxtaposes natural textures like rock formations with patterns resembling bullet holes silk-screened on canvas in star-shaped constellations. These “stars” lead viewers into a space where beauty and brutality intersect, inviting contemplation on the allure and danger of violent imagery. Each layer of her work encourages reflection on the hidden meanings beneath the surface.