Cy Twombly – The Rose @ Gagosian London

Posted on March 6, 2009 by sven

AM recently visited Cy Twombly’s exhibit at the Gagosian’s Britannia Street location. Many people cite the still active octogenarian as one of the godfathers of urban contemporary artwork, with his graffiti-like calligraphic script and dripping paint inspiring many artists currently working in the scene.

The show features five gargantuan paintings, each measuring a whopping 24′ x 8′. Combined with the hangar-like gallery space, they take on a majestic beauty when displayed together and exert a strong wall presence.

Read more about the exhibition and check out the rest of the photos after the jump.

Three roses in full bloom are depicted on each four panel painting. The works are rich in color and depth and are set against a light turquoise background for maximum contrast and impact. 

“Of her usual routine the blooming rose is the omen of her immeasurable endurance” – Rilke

Fragments from Rilke’s poem cycle “The Roses” are inscribed on the last panel of each painting and serve as the inspiration of the power and emotion evoked.

The exhibition runs through May 9, 2009.

Gagosian Gallery
6-24 Britannia Street
London WC1X 9JD

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  • mose

    Twombly gets even better with age. I’m generally not a fan of pre-Ferragusto work, but do love his work after it became influenced by da Vinci’s Deluge drawing. From the blackboard series of late 1960′s – early 1970′s, to Hero and Leandro to the ‘Green Paintings’ from the 1989 Venice Biennale to III Notes from Salalah and A Scattering of Blossoms and Other Things, just such a deeply moving artist. A treasure.