Mia Enell:  Worlds Warning Lights On

Rubin & Chapelle is pleased to announce Mia Enell: Worlds Warning Lights On, a presentation of three works that follow Enell’s recent solo exhibition,  Large Paintings (2022)  at Bienvenu, Steinberg & Partner. Worlds Warning Lights On is on view from May 14th to May 22, 2022 and includes two drawings and one sculpture that, when viewed together, respond to the anxiety and hope of the present from a feminine perspective.

Enell’s work depicts the eccentricities of the subconscious and are often inspired by Scandinavian dark humor and Surrealism. Visions, haiku-like phrases and dreams are featured prominently in many of her works.  As curator Alaina Claire Feldman says in a recent publication on Enell, her work “evokes poetry, humor, and hope in a way that feels incredibly appropriate for our current unpredictable moment.” The sculpture Women and War (2008) seen in the window depicts a female bust carefully balancing a stack of pillows topped with a pea-green toy grenade. Worlds Warning Lights On (2021) is a drawing of a female figure shouting and flashing cautionary sparks from her arms and legs. Finally, Flowers from Black Holes (2021) illustrates the diverse beauty that can be grown out of even the most unpredictable places.

Mia Enell’s work has been shown internationally. Select exhibitions include: Mia Enell: Large Paintings, Bienvenu, Steinberg & Partner, New York (2022); Drawing Biennial, Drawing Room, London (2021); Emmanuel Barbault Gallery, New York (2018); C.O.D. (Center for Openness and Dialogue), Tirana, Albania (2018); Arena Vestfossen, Norway (2013); Kulturhuset, Stockholm, Sweden (2011); Third Streaming, New York (2011); Colgate University Museum, Hamilton, New York (2006); Hellenic Museum, Chicago, IL, UP&CO, New York and London (2008, 2004, 2002); The New York Public Library (2006); Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle, WA (2004); Centre Régional d’Art Contemporain, Sète, France (1999); Caisse des dépôts et Consignations, Paris (1999); Espace Paul Ricard, Paris (1999); Independent Center for Art & Photography, Paris (1997). Select collections include: FNAC, Fonds National d’Art Contemporain, Paris; Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA); Statens Konstråd, National Public Art Agency, Stockholm; Collection Teto Ahrenberg, Switzerland. Residencies include: Residency Unlimited, Brooklyn (2019), Cité des Arts, Paris (1996-97). She is a recipient of The Elfi von Kantzow Alvin Art Award (2021) and The American-Scandinavian Society, Cultural Grant Award (2004).

Saturday, May 14

1pm, 2pm & 3pm

Mia Enell will be in conversation with Alaina Claire Feldman (Director/Curator of Mishkin Gallery, City University of New York) to discuss the works on view at Rubin & Chapelle within the larger context of Enell's artistic practice. 

Checklist of Works:

Women and War  (2008)

Feather pillows, plastic, metal, acrylic paint 

33 x 11 x 11 inches

Flowers from Black Holes (2021)

Paper, pencil, watercolor

11x14 in. unframed; 14x17 in. framed

Worlds Warning Lights On (2021)

Paper, pencil, watercolor

11x14 in. unframed; 14x17 in. framed