Become a My Ocula member for exclusive access to contemporary art and personalised artist recommendations.
Join Us Sign In
The Art World in Focus
Clear
Juan Uslé

JUAN USLÉ

Viento Sur Galerie Lelong 18 January–9 March 2024 13 Rue de Téhéran, Paris
Overview Artworks Location
Request Prices & Availability
Press Release

The light, relief and climate of his native Cantabria are ever present in Juan Uslé’s paintings. His paintings are like large pages of colourful writing, evoking abstract landscapes. In small, jerky strokes, he creates bands of shimmering, vibrant colours that can evoke reflections on water, shades in the sky or the effect of the wind rippling on green hills.

The ‘Viento sur’ (the south wind) is a well-known wind in Santander. Its warm air rushes down the mountain, sometimes in very violent gusts, right into the bay. Its influence on men and women is mythical. Nicknamed “viento loco” (the crazy wind), it is said to cause mood swings, headaches, respiratory illnesses, nervous breakdowns etc. In his work, Juan Uslé focuses on the change in perception he brings to bear on distances, volumes, light and landscape. When the south wind blows, the artist likes to climb up into the mountains to observe and listen to the sea. He has always been sensitive to this phenomenon, whose influence can be seen in his painting. In 1993, he told Barry Schwabsky: “You’re in the north where the wind is normally cold, but when it gets hot your vision of space goes crazy. That’s why I don’t want to freeze everything. I would like viewers to work a little too, to play with the elements of the painting and make their own films” (interview published in Tema Celeste in 1993, reprinted in La peinture dans son temps, a collection of interviews with the artist published by Galerie Lelong & Co. in 2021).

Read More
About the Artist

Juan Uslé was born in 1954 in Santander, Spain. He lives and works between Saro (Cantabria) and New York City. He studied fine art at Escuela Superior de Belles Artes in San Carlos, Valencia from 1973–77.

View Artist Profile

Also Exhibiting at Galerie Lelong

All Exhibitions
Paula Rego
PAULA REGO Drawing from Life Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 38 Avenue Matignon, Paris
Eduardo Chillida
EDUARDO CHILLIDA Estampes choisies Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 13 Rue de Téhéran, Paris
Kiki Smith
KIKI SMITH Flight Galerie Lelong 21 May–11 July 2026 13 Rue de Téhéran, Paris
About the Gallery
Galerie Lelong is located in Paris and New York. It was founded by Jacques Dupin, Daniel Lelong and Jean Frémon.

The Paris gallery has been exhibiting recent works from artists of international standing since 1981. The 1980s were notable for artists who went on to become household names, including Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, Francis Bacon, Louise Bourgeois, Eduardo Chillida, Paul Rebeyrolle, Pierre Alechinsky, but also for the next generation of artists: Konrad Klapheck, Jan Dibbets, Donald Judd, Robert Ryman, Richard Serra, Jannis Kounellis, Arnulf Rainer, Nicola De Maria and Jan Voss.

In the 1990s, the gallery hosted artists who represented major movements in contemporary art: Sean Scully, Günther Förg, Andy Goldsworthy, Ernest Pignon-Ernest, Antonio Saura. The gallery also increased international recognition of the work of Ana Mendieta.

Since the turn of the century, Galerie Lelong has accentuated the geographical and expressive diversity of its artists: from sculpture and objects by Jaume Plensa, David Nash, Wolfgang Laib, Kiki Smith, Rebecca Horn, Barry Flanagan to installations by Barthélémy Toguo and Lin Tianmiao, without forgetting painting, namely David Hockney, Robert Motherwell, Kate Shepherd, Nalini Malani, Nancy Spero, Juan Uslé, Leon Kossoff.

Galerie Lelong has a large publishing department which produces and distributes engravings, lithographs, digital prints and multiple objects, and collates these works in catalogues raisonnés.

It produces monumental sculptures to order for public spaces and private clients.

The gallery is present at the leading international contemporary art fairs (Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong, Fiac Paris, Frieze London, Frieze New York, Arco Madrid, Art Brussels, Expo Chicago...).

The directors of the gallery are Jean Frémon, Daniel Lelong and Patrice Cotensin in Paris and Mary Sabbatino in New York.
View Gallery Profile
Address
13 rue de Téhéran
Paris
France
Opening Hours
Tues - Fri, 10.30am - 6pm
Sat, 2pm - 6.30pm
(1)
Paris 13 rue de Téhéran
Galerie Lelong contemporary art gallery in 13 Rue de Teheran Paris France
Galerie Lelong
13 rue de Téhéran, Paris, France
+33 145 631 319
http://www.galerie-lelong.com

Opening hours
Tues - Fri, 10.30am - 6pm
Sat, 2pm - 6.30pm
Magazine Gallery Platform Advisory
Ocula Magazine

A respected voice in contemporary art discourse.

Focusing on ambitious storytelling and insightful art-world commentary. Ocula Magazine publishes in-depth interviews, critical essays and timely analysis on the artists, exhibitions and ideas driving the global art world.

 Learn more about Ocula Magazine Learn more about Ocula Magazine Ocula Gallery Platform

Showcasing the best of the art world.

Ocula partners with galleries from around the world to highlight their artists, artworks and exhibitions. Gallery membership is by application and invitation, with each member vetted by an independent panel.

 Learn more about Ocula Membership Learn more about Ocula Membership Ocula Advisory

Specialises in the sale of major artworks.

Led by a team with deep ties to the world’s leading auction houses, galleries and collectors. Ocula’s advisory team offers bespoke services to high-net-worth clients from around the world who are looking to acquire the best of contemporary and modern art.

 Learn more about our team and services Learn more about Ocula Advisory
The art world in focus