Richard Telles is very pleased to present a two-person exhibition of paintings by Richard Hawkins and John McAllister. Each of the artists has their own preoccupations and peregrinations but have always shared a singular idée fixe: the robust and unapologetic indulgences of color.

McAllister advances his own journey into chromatic vibration and Nabi-inspired decorative painting through a new series of near-nocturnes. The delicate attenuations of sparse meadows and fledgling woodlands flicker restively in the last golden rays before the chill of purple night descends. In contrast, Hawkins over-populates his brashly colored scenes. Ephebic thirst-traps and half-naked celebre-dieties crowd in among thorny creepers of Swinburnean effulgence: “made pale by florid grief and splendid shadow”.

Being longtime friends, both artists clearly share an epicurean position towards tantalizing and gratifying quests for visual stimulation. Their paintings are demanding–– yet ridiculously appealing.

The newest issue of Hawkins’s X-Rated publication “Secret Passage” will also be available at the front desk.

Richard Hawkins’ recent solo exhibitions were held at Greene Naftali, New York this year and Galerie Daniel Buchholz, Berlin in 2018. His work was recently included in group exhibitions at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; MoCA, Los Angeles; and Sadie Coles, London, all in 2019. Solo exhibitions have been held at institutions such as the Tate, Liverpool in 2014; a survey at the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles in 2011, which traveled from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2010; and the de Appel Art Centre, Amsterdam in 2007. Hawkins lives and works in Los Angeles.

John McAllister’s recent solo exhibitions were held at James Fuentes, New York in 2018; Carl Freedman, London in 2017; and Shane Campbell Gallery, Chicago, also in 2017. He’s been included in recent group exhibitions at Le Consortium, Dijon, France; Wentrup, Berlin; Jack Hanley, New York, all in 2018. McAllister lives and works in Florence, Massachusetts.