Nino Mier Gallery debuts solo exhibit by artist Lola Gil

Nino Mier Gallery is set to unveil its first solo exhibition featuring artist Lola Gil, titled “WHO ARE (YOU) ARE WHO.” The exhibition will run from September 23 to October 21, 2023, in West Hollywood, focusing on themes of human connection and the complexities of self and other.

Lola Gil’s artwork in “WHO ARE (YOU) ARE WHO” features blurred figures engaged in various actions, deliberately obscured by glass animal figurines. The exhibition prompts contemplation of ethical questions related to human interaction.

Drawing from personal experiences, Gil shapes her artwork around interpersonal connection and empathy, employing depersonalized visual elements using stock imagery as source material.

Each painting in the exhibition consists of a distinct foreground and background. In the foreground, viewers will encounter meticulously crafted glass animal figurines, including horses, snakes, donkeys, and elephants, many of which have been collected by Gil over time.

The background of each painting presents one to three figures engaged in various interactions, dressed in midcentury American-style attire. These figures appear contextless, floating in a monochromatic space, and remain enigmatic. Gil positions them as central characters, symbolizing the stranger as a universal and relatable figure.

Gil’s use of glass animals visually represents the multifaceted nature of strangers. The glass figurines refract the background imagery, distorting and multiplying the features of the figures, highlighting the complexity of individual identities.

Despite the profound themes explored in her artwork, Gil infuses her work with playful titles, such as “Pleasure To Meet You / Starring Liam Neighhson” and “A Day in Her Shoes / Starring Winona Workforce and Biscuits Anderson.”

Gil shares her motivation for this body of work, stating, “In our current climate, I have felt an overwhelming sense of emotion and interest in the ‘stranger.’ Through this new body of work, I am driven to dedicate an intimate investigation of the human spirit.” She emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique histories and experiences that shape each stranger’s identity.

Lola Gil’s exploration of the stranger serves to provide viewers with a perspective on others while also offering personal solace and forgiveness for past relationships. Her work highlights the varying degrees of respect and understanding that individuals hold for one another.

Lola Gil, born in 1975 in Riverside, CA, and currently based in Philadelphia, PA, has exhibited her art extensively. Her solo exhibitions have been featured at various galleries and venues worldwide, including Aisho Nanzuka in Hong Kong, KP Projects in Los Angeles, and Roq La Rue Gallery in Seattle. Additionally, her work has been part of group exhibitions at renowned institutions such as the Wasau Museum of Contemporary Art in Wausau, WI, and Lohme Gallery in Malmö, SE, among others.

“WHO ARE (YOU) ARE WHO” by Lola Gil at Nino Mier Gallery offers an exploration of the complexities of human connection and the enigmatic nature of strangers, inviting viewers to reflect on their own perceptions and experiences of others.