MARK ROTHKO

This exhibition, the first in the United Kingdom to focus on the poignant body of work created in Rothko’s final years, embodies the artist’s long-time endeavour to eliminate ‘all obstacles between the painter and the idea, and between the idea and the observer’ by allowing viewers unparalleled closeness. Executed in the late 1960s in the wake of a particularly tumultuous and difficult bout of ill health, Rothko was forced to reduce the scale of his painting practice from his signature monumental canvases to more intimately sized paper. Despite physical limitations, Rothko worked feverishly with a renewed enthusiasm for colour, delighted by the effect of acrylic paint. These paintings showcase the artist’s enduring will to experiment and refine his vision of boundlessness.

Mark Rothko is one of the 20^th century’s most revolutionary and influential artists. Pace has had the honour of representing Rothko’s estate for over four decades. This show continues the gallery’s legacy of presenting historic exhibitions that illuminate the artist’s unparalleled mastery, examples include The 1958–1959 Murals (1978), The Dark Paintings 1969–1970 (1985), The Last Paintings (1994), and Bonnard-Rothko: Color and Light (1997).

Approaching its 10^th anniversary in the capital, the Hanover Square gallery underscores Pace’s commitment to the city of London as a singular cultural community and one of the great international art world hubs. Embarking upon a new era in its new space, Pace will present an expanded program that combines an ambitious exhibition schedule with regular multidisciplinary events via its Pace Live platform.

Pace’s new London gallery has been designed by architect Jamie Fobert Architects. Fobert enjoys a longstanding relationship with Pace having been involved with the original gallery on Lexington Street in 2011. For Hanover Square, Fobert will completely transform the interior architecture of the existing building to incorporate flexible galleries across two floors. The levels will be connected by a feature staircase rendered in black steel, giving the impression of a fully integrated space. The new modular layout will allow for dynamic presentations and will accommodate installations of works ranging from intimate to monumental in scale.