Thomas Linder brings out a stunning testimony to industrial form with this layered and framed artistry in his Portals opening at Praz-Delavallade. It is in this bold direction, upon evaluating the possibilities of appreciating organic media from his childhood upbringing, where his efforts at affirming man’s rational powers at achieving a beautiful form beyond the natural powers which gives us a truly veritable contribution to fine arts.

The King of California, 2 0 2 2
pigment, fiberglass, and aluminum frame
7 0 1 /4 x 4 8 1 /4 i n
(178.4 x 122.6 cm). Copyright Thomas Linder. Courtesy of the artst and Praz Delavallade.

Siren, 2 0 2 3
pigment, fiberglass, and aluminum frame
7 0 1 /4 x 4 8 1 /4 i n
(178.4 x 122.6 cm). Copyright Thomas Linder. Courtesy of the artist and Praz Delavallade.

The choice to layer, to provide an element of complexity with introducing depth to the media, does breathe out some pseudo-mosaic Catholic ideas; but this is too original for it to find a simile to the religiosity this nevertheless is in a historical continuum with. The truer idea is to give a representation of human mastery. Over the elements?

Mississippi , 2 0 2 3
pigment, fiberglass, and aluminum frame
3 3 1 /4 x 2 3 1 /4 i n
( 8 4 . 5 x 5 9 .1 c m ). Courtesy of the artist and Praz Delavallade.

Isn’t that the curiosity with the movable effects of commerce, which for the last several centuries has expanded the opportunities for the rational extension of man unlike any other epoch in civilized history? How to best affirm that man’s power given his growth in natural scientific knowledge? One that is absent any anxieties; and these works are self-evident testimonies.

Confluence, 2 0 2 3
pigment, fiberglass, and aluminum frame
7 0 1 /4 x 4 8 1 /4 i n
(178.4 x 122.6 cm). Copyright Thomas Linder. Courtesy of the artist and Praz Delavallade.

Karman Line, 2 0 2 3
pigment, fiberglass, and aluminum frame
7 0 1 /4 x 4 8 1 /4 i n. Copyright Thomas Linder. Courtesy of the artist and Praz Delavallade.

Glass, as a ceramic, is a necessary form to the compositions, for its ability to play with the changing order of light in the room. This presents the colors and general ornamentation in a way which is less sterile; though the dispassionate attitude to the industrial concept of strict disciplined calculated action with financing is not left with a negative judgment on the matter. Indeed, this artwork, with its industrial forms, represents the confident stride in demonstrating human progress: that man has the power of cultivating beauty given his growing means to consume more at once. His Mephistophelean lusts can be muted; and instead focused on pleasing the senses of others rather than for his selfish gratification alone. Man, Mr. Linder confidently demonstrates, thus has the means to refine his material consumption toward immortal works. He has the means to gain the wisdom in desiring to create beautiful ideas, to visibly impress upon the world as an act of gratitude for being given the chance to see it all.

For more information, please contact the art gallery:

PRAZ-DELAVALLADE LOS ANGELES
6150 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90048
Tue–Sat, 11am–5pm
+1 (323) 917 5044
losangeles@praz-delavallade.com