Draft:George Rouy
George Rouy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994 (age 30–31) Sittingbourne, Kent, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Camberwell College of Arts (BFA, 2015) |
| Known for | Figurative painting |
| Style | Contemporary art |
| Website | georgerouy |
George Rouy (born 1994) is a British contemporary painter known for his large-scale figurative works exploring themes of desire, alienation, and identity in the 21st century. His distinctive style features amorphous, fluid bodies that blur the boundaries between figuration and abstraction.
Early life and education
[edit]Rouy was born in 1994 in Sittingbourne, Kent, England, to parents who worked in creative fields—his father as a hairdresser and his mother in various jobs. Both siblings, Alfie and Elsa, are also artists.[1] He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Camberwell College of Arts, University of the Arts London, in 2015.[2]
Artistic style and themes
[edit]Rouy's paintings feature writhing, interconnected human figures rendered in pink, blue, and muted earth tones that bulge and blur against abstract backgrounds.[2] His work explores the psychological effects of contemporary life, drawing from digital culture, medieval art influences, and science fiction. The artist describes his approach as focused on "the relationship between interior landscapes and the body in motion."[3]
His technique involves drafting compositions digitally before projecting them onto canvas, building up bodies and backgrounds in multiple layers while often creating faces in single, swift applications of paint.[4] This process creates what Rouy calls "the bleed", shapeshifting borders between figures and their surroundings.[1]
Career and recognition
[edit]Gallery representation
[edit]Rouy is represented by several major galleries:
- Hauser & Wirth (London and Los Angeles) - became one of their youngest artists in 2024[1]
- Hannah Barry Gallery (London) - longtime representation[3]
- Almine Rech (Paris)[5]
- Peres Projects (Berlin)[5]
- Nicola Vassell Gallery (New York)[2]
Exhibitions
[edit]Solo exhibitions
[edit]- 2024: "The Bleed, Part I," Hauser & Wirth, London[1]
- 2023: "Endless Song," Nicola Vassell Gallery, New York[2]
- 2023: "Body Suit," Hannah Barry Gallery, London (with choreographer Sharon Eyal)[3]
- 2022: "Belly ache," Almine Rech, Paris[5]
- 2020: "Maelstrom," Peres Projects, Berlin[2]
Group exhibitions
[edit]- Foundation Cartier, Paris[4]
- X Museum, Shanghai[4]
Publications and media coverage
[edit]Rouy has been featured extensively in art world publications including Artnet News, i-D, Dazed, Financial Times, Sleek Magazine, and British GQ.[5] His first monograph, "George Rouy Selected Works 2017-2023" with text by Charlie Mills, was published by Tarmac Press in 2023.[3]
Market and collecting
[edit]His work has performed well at auction, with pieces regularly selling above estimates. His 2018 painting "Through the Window" sold for £30,000 at Phillips, exceeding its upper estimate by more than three times.[4]
Collaborative work
[edit]In 2023, Rouy collaborated with renowned choreographer Sharon Eyal on "BODY SUIT," combining painting with dance, light, and sound. The collaboration expanded into a full-length performance piece premiering in London in 2024.[3]
Influences
[edit]Rouy cites influences ranging from 15th-century painters Jean Fouquet and Rogier van der Weyden to contemporary artists like Cecily Brown, Willem de Kooning, and Gerhard Richter.[2] He also draws inspiration from Francis Bacon and El Greco.[1]
Personal life
[edit]Rouy currently lives and works in Faversham, Kent, where he maintains a studio in a converted warehouse on an industrial estate.[1] He has built a significant social media following, with over 50,000 Instagram followers who follow his behind-the-scenes creative process.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Lawson-Tancred, Jo (2024-10-09). "George Rouy Has Landed His First Hauser and Wirth Show at Age 30. What's Behind His Stratospheric Rise?". Artnet News. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b c d e f "George Rouy". Nicola Vassell Gallery. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b c d e "George Rouy". Hauser & Wirth. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b c d "George Rouy". Avant Arte. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ a b c d "George Rouy: Artist Overview". Almine Rech. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
External links
[edit]- George Rouy at Hauser & Wirth
- George Rouy at Almine Rech
- George Rouy on Instagram