Keith Haring & the marathon runner’s ritual

The gallery's
opinion

WE LIKE THE APPROACH

“Keith Haring & the marathon runner’s ritual” belongs to the “Room portraits” series. In his drawings, Damien Nicolas Roux imagines superb interiors decorated around a prestigious artist’s work. To stage the reproduced painting, he inserts iconic furniture, lighting and collectors’ items. His freedom as a facetious artist sometimes leads him to construct a second mise en abyme. Thus he slips one of his own works into this imaginary interior. Indeed, Damien Nicolas Roux is also a plastic artist and creates obelisks and pyramids in cardboard and brass. They fit perfectly into the decor. The work is in the work, but so is the artist, since he plays at hiding his signature (DNR) in his drawing, can you see it? Finally, he never forgets to add a little life in the form of a human or animal presence.

Each drawing is accompanied by a coloured paper mat in one of the colours recommended by the artist. A work with surprising and accomplished techniques, which mixes references to painting, architecture and decorative arts.

WE LOVE TO KNOW MORE

“Keith Haring & the marathon runner’s ritual” reproduces an acrylic painting on canvas from 1990, “Radiant Baby”, by this painter who is considered a key figure in contemporary art. In Damien Nicolas Roux’s composition, the painting hangs above a Nemo armchair by Fabio Novembre. The décor also includes a wall lamp by Serge Mouille and an Empire-style somno.

AND MORE

We also like Damien Nicolas Roux’s humour: in response to the well-known profile of the Nemo armchair, he inserts that of a contemplative character.

Photo credit: Damien Nicolas Roux and Galerie Maison Dauphine.