Francesca Mollett’s Shifting Surfaces at GRIMM

Francesca Mollett‘s paintings are distinguished by their intricate surfaces, which are built up with layers of oil and acrylic paint, both wet and dry. The addition of thick impasto strokes adds volume, while marks from a palette knife reveal different layers of paint. This technique results in segments that resemble collages, with different colours and textures interspersed across the canvas.

While New York‘s spring art fairs are in full swing, the Bristol-born artist opens her solo exhibition at GRIMM‘s 54 White Street location. Corso (10 May–22 June 2024) features Mollett’s recent paintings and explores the idea that a painting’s surface can appear dynamic—the imagery beneath occasionally emerges distinctly, only to fade away at other moments.

The works on view look at themes of growth and change, and mimic organic processes found in nature. For example, in Bonding (2024) crystalline surfaces seemingly break apart, evolving into fragmented rocks and powdery residue. Similarly, Spindle (2024) depicts the emergence of weed-like or mossy forms from cracks in pavements or building walls.

Mollett’s paintings reveal ambiguous forms that seem to grow, stretch, seep, and warp amid unstable planes. With so much textural detail to navigate, her paintings urge viewers to engage with them slowly and reflectively.

Discussing the exhibition, GRIMM founder Jorg Grimm expressed, ‘Francesca and I have been planning this New York solo show since we first presented her works as part of Tom Morton’s curated show The Kingfisher’s Wing in 2022. Now that Corso is installed at the gallery, there’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment and the reactions to the paintings have been rightfully overwhelming.’

The exhibition will be followed by Mollett’s forthcoming solo show at The Warehouse Dallas in spring 2025.

Main image: Exhibition view: Francesca Mollett, Corso, GRIMM, New York (10 May–22 June 2024). Courtesy GRIMM.