Exhibition Review: Nicolas Party: Pastel, The Flag Foundation

Jean-Baptiste Perronneau
Portrait of a woman with pink ribbons, n.d. Pastel on paper 17 ⅝ x 25 ⅝ inches

Nicolas Party: Pastel

OCTOBER 10 - FEBRUARY 15, 2020

Pink used to be my least favorite color when I was a little girl.

It changed as I grew up,
and it changed completely when I met someone in Philadelphia.


Now I think pink is an interesting color.

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If you admire work of Nicolas Party, this exhibition is one you do not want to miss because it is drawn on walls and it is only on view only in here and right now. It is not an exhibition I stayed hours to see each works compared to other recent exhibitions I visited, but at the same time this exhibition brought me many questions, as well as happiness to see his colors filling the walls pleasantly dancing together.  The exhibition is on view until February 15, 2020.

Here is the link to Official Press Release. 

The value of pastel changes when the surface changes, I think. It is because Pastel is an art medium in form of stick that never dries, never bonds with a surface, and stays as powder on a surface, and is erasable.

Pastel is a crayon made of powdered pigments bound with gum or resin. A pastel is a soft and delicate shade of color.

When it is on a wall, it starts to carry different messages, that it did not have on paper, that bring questions.


It is like a mural but it is perhaps more short lived. When it is not covered with a glass, when it is not framed, because it is on a wall, I would say it delivers some message, whether if the artist and the foundation were aware or not, or discussed or not, or being interested in or not,  in terms of how deeply.

There is still and also enormous beauty because it is on wall that awaits next exhibition, instead of on paper.

Artists is someone who challenges new things and new ideas, who gives new things or a new scare a try. Artist is someone who also questions, judges and critics, but the audiences are also the important ones who always are able to and should bring questions that might haven't discussed between the artists and the curators.

Value as an artwork decreases if some part of value of an artwork depends on the level of permanence/durability, or it to allow being preserved and protected, or the mobility.

(Sure, you can own the wall or the building as an option. )

Rosalba Carriera Portrait of a lady at three-quarter length, n.d. Pastel on paper 22 x 17 ¼ inches

What is meaning of artworks being layered? What meaning could it have?

The drawing is also in interesting location. It is not exterior wall of building, but inside, but it is not covered with a glass for protection.
And, this is just me assuming but those drawings will be documented (photographed) and digitally archived, but the physical work is made not to last from the beginning.

Despite who the artist is, I think the mind of artist that is what I had from the show the most when I am leaving, that when he drew them, that for momentary quality, for them to be momentary work, that in other words, the artist did not see the future for the work or saw the future that they will soon be gone completely wiped away, that the work did not need future to be completed.

Nicolas Party detail

I think it is something worth to think about. It is not negative nor positive review I am having here per se, but it is something that I see the worth in this show for me to question about what artist makes under the specific unique conditions that often artists have when they are more and more established.

Does it affect quality of drawing, does it affect thoughts and depth of drawing, is it an artwork, or performance...

Is it more fragile than the graffiti and murals outside?
When murals and graffiti are usually made waterproof.

What does this exhibition mean by material concept, if we excluded intentions and visions of the institute and pastel company and the artist?
What remains there for us to consider?

Billy Sullivan Mark 1984, 2008 Pastel on paper 52 x 44 inches Courtesy the artist and kaufmann repetto, New York/Milan

Nicolas Party Sunset, 2017 Soft pastel on card 23 ½ x 23 ⅝ inches 

Nicolas Party Sunrise, 2017 Soft pastel on card 23 ½ x 23 ⅝ inches

Toyin Ojih Odutola Hide Out, 2018 Pastel, charcoal, and pencil on paper 57 ¼ x 48 inches

Nicolas Party

Nicolas Party

Nicolas Party

Nicolas Party Trees, 2017 Pastel on paper 13 x 10 inches each

Edgar Degas La Conversation, 1895 Pastel on paper 19 5/8 x 25 5/8 inches Courtesy of Acquavella Galleries

Nicolas Party detail

Nicolas Party From Jean Honoré Fragonard, Birth of Venus, 1753-55, 2019 Soft pastel on wall 158 x 111 inches

Robin F. Williams Alive with Pleasure (Study), 2018 Pastel on paper 51 x 38 ½ inches
Courtesy the artist and P.P.O.W, New York

Louis Fratino Sunlit Nude, 2018 Pastel on paper 15 x 20 inches Collection of Ilan Cohen, Courtesy of Galerie Antoine Levi, Paris and Sikkema Jenkins & Co., New York

Julian Martin Untitled, 2017 Pastel on paper 15 x 11 inches Collection of Nicolas Party

Nicolas Party Still Life, 2019 Soft pastel on linen 30 x 40 inches Courtesy the artist and Karma, New York

Loie Hollowell Radiating from My Core, December 21, 2018, 2019 Soft pastel and graphite on paper 20 x 26 inches Courtesy the artist and Pace Gallery

Loie Hollowell Milking Around the Clock, February 21, 2019, 2019 Soft pastel and graphite on paper 20 x 26 inches Courtesy of Allison and Larry Berg

Loie Hollowell Birthing Dance, October 3, 2017, 2019 Soft pastel and graphite on paper 20 x 26 inches Courtesy the artist and Pace Gallery

Nicolas Party Landscape with Birds, 2017 Soft pastel on canvas 55 x 51 ¼ inches Private Collection

Nicolas Party Portrait with Pink Bows, 2019 Soft pastel on linen 40 x 50 inches Courtesy the artist and Karma, New York