Herald St is excited to introduce “Fils, ta vision!”, an art exhibition by Nick Relph held at the gallery’s Museum St location. This showcase presents three distinctive collections of art using cardboard boxes as the main theme. “Fils, ta vision!” is a continuation of Relph’s exploration of city life, using the city as a source of inspiration for his art. In his work, he combines various elements from his own creations, as well as from contemporary and historical pop culture, creating pieces with unique patterns and processes.
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
The main part of the exhibition features artworks made from discarded Comme des Garçons boxes collected by Relph over four years from the streets of New York. He transforms these boxes into flattened canvases with intricate geometric patterns, including numbers derived from old football shirt templates. These numbers come from a 2013 interview with fashion designer Rei Kawakubo, who expressed her fondness for odd numbers.
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
To add a special touch, the boxes are dusted with mica powder, creating a subtle shimmer. Relph collected this mica from Central Park. He also incorporates packaging from the Japanese company Epson, using a fragment of their logo to create the title of the exhibition, “Fils, ta vision!”
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
The heart of the exhibition showcases two pieces that might initially appear to be from a 2014 series based on corrupted photographs from a book about punk culture. In this recent work, Relph uses UV-printing to layer his art on top of the packages that once contained these artworks.
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
The experience of being surrounded by cardboard boxes is something many urban dwellers can relate to. Relph’s exhibition captures this urban experience and goes beyond the tools of art creation to explore the packaging they come in.
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
Through his art, he reveals the layers of meaning and contrast in the urban landscape, from the logos on discarded items to the intersection of corporate and artistic influences. The works in “Fils, ta vision!” are multi-layered, much like the mica dusted upon them. Nick Relph’s art invites viewers to dive into the intricate connections between art, culture, and everyday life.
Nick Relph, “Fils, ta vision!” exhibition at Herald St gallery, London, 2023
