Cy Gavin Paintings Explore Nature and Transformation

Description

Cy Gavin makes a first appearance in Asia with a new body of work at Gagosian Hong Kong, interpreting natural spaces and phenomena through a distinctive approach to mark making. Gavin’s paintings reveal biological, geological and cosmic structures, often rendered in vivid hues that evoke themes of growth and transfiguration. Many works are painted on unprimed wooden panels, where the visible wood grain is left exposed and becomes an integral part of the composition, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between material and image.

Several paintings depict flora native to North American woodlands, prairies, and coasts, such as marsh marigold and eastern prickly pear cacti. The exhibition’s largest work, “Untitled (Maximilian sunflower)” (2024), presents a life-size, heliotropic plant that follows the sun’s path. Other works, including “Untitled (Tide pool)” (2025) and “Untitled (Mussels)” (2024), focus on dynamic intertidal habitats shaped by lunar forces.

With the square format of many pieces allowing for open-ended visual exploration, Gavin’s exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of nature, material, and cosmic cycles. This show marks a significant moment for Hong Kong audiences to encounter the artist’s evolving vision.