PETER HALLEY

Comprising works exclusively conceived in 2023, the collection demonstratesthe artist’s enduring exploration of the interplay between geometric abstraction and hisdistinctive synthetic color palette. Halley’s artistic philosophy conceives abstract art as ahistorical progression within society and its narrative intricately interwoven through theorganization of compartmentalized spaces and the formal systems constituting theabstract world.

Halley’s recent paintings diverge from the rectangular conventions prevalentin his 1980s oeuvre. Departing from his iconic geometric formulation, thesecompositions continue to inhabit a realm of contradiction, adeptly balancing rationalistgeometry with whimsical and irreverent explorations in color and texture. The canvases,rendered through meticulously painted grid-like compositions, evoke a sense of a lostdimension, where the demarcation between the physical and virtual realms becomesblurred. This resonance with Paul Virilio’s post-modern urban theory, wherein spaceand time compress to form intricate networks, lays the groundwork for Halley’s linguisticexploration of abstract art.

Within the context of a technologically wired urban space, the juxtaposition ofsynthetic colors against rigid structures in Halley’s paintings mirrors the flattened realityof our technologically mediated existence. Emblematic of Neo-Geometric Conceptualism,Halley’s work plays with visual-spatial relationships that are both disorienting andcaptivating. Notably, the exhibition features two prominent pieces, Machine andCheckmate, which cast a profound psychological impact on the viewers. As the titlessuggested, Machine conveys a sense of order and control through its structuredappearance, while the term ‘Checkmate,’ borrowed from chess, denotes the game’sconclusion, signifying the imminent capture of the opponent’s king. The color fields inthese paintings extend beyond mere aesthetics, delving into a purposeful exploration ofpsychological composition.

Halley’s practice transcends visual aesthetics to serve as poignant reflections onthe contemporary urban condition, unraveling the intricacies of our technologicallyinfluenced existence. The accelerated pace of modern life has seen the displacement ofphysical spaces by telecommunication, reshaping both our living and workingenvironments. Halley’s creations provide visual narratives that, through hismultidisciplinary approach, fuse contemporary physics, architecture, aesthetic theory,technological critique, and sociology to shed light on the impact of hyperreality on ourspatial perceptions. Echoing Virilio, Halley’s work portrays contemporary space as a webof interactive informational networks, effectively ensnaring us in a prison house ofillusory transcendence.

Press release courtesy Almine Rech. Text: Yuan Fuca, curator, writer, and Kadist’s Associate Program Director for China.