We are delighted to announce Of this elusive, I’m an accomplice, a solo exhibition of Arthur Lemonier. In collaboration with and curated by TM Projects.
Of this elusive, I’m an accomplice is the first exhibition of Arthur Lemonier’s work in London featuring new paintings by the Paris-based artist. The raw elusive imagery of Arthur Lemonier’s portraits comes from his profound exploration of the ambiguous reality of our own bodies and emotions. For this exhibition, the artist dives into what is seen and what is lived, as if contrasts and uncertainty should be carried preciously, (un)questioning what truly resides inside. The provocative yet playful nature of this out-betweenness challenges both social and physical boundaries. It subverts our perception by portraying the characters in a way that highlights their vulnerability, transforming them into witnesses of their own duality.
In his paintings, raw emotions of fear, threat, disturbance, and pleasure intertwine and provoke an instinctive response from the viewer. Arthur invites us to embrace the discomfort and ambiguity of these emotions, putting mirrors in front of our faces. His explorations create omnipresence of an external force, the intrusion and disturbance it brings. He transcends human bodily experiences, allowing his characters to rip off the limitations of human shapes. They are not between genders, they are above this concept altogether - Arthur strives to liberate their mental and physical state completely. He masterfully depicts an impulse that attracts and repels, and a moment of raw emotion captured in each face. Small canvases serve as windows into an emotion, preserving a moment, each of them unique and enticing.
Arthur’s new exploration of body parts in ‘Recondite’ is even more precise, questioning the meaning of defining parts of ourselves that we cling on to. Arthur dissects our understanding of human physique and brings the alien quality to it through a distinct colour palette. Like thunder in the sky, the power of emotions becomes bigger than the reality we can grasp.
Arthur Lemonier
Born in 1998, the artist lives and works in Paris, France.
In Arthur Lemonier's work, a leitmotif persists: resisting the uncomfortable confusion. Through his expressive paintings, he deals with the contrasting essence of human emotion by striving to maintain visual ambiguity; an omnipresent versatility that necessarily leads everyone to determine a response. ‘Opposites seem to unite’, says Lemonier. The artist sees confusion not as an obstacle, but as a creative opportunity. He uses it to destabilise perceptions and open up inner dialogues. In his paintings, shapes and colours mingle, overlap and distort, creating a visual dynamic that awakens an emotional and intellectual response.
By refusing to provide simple answers or clear representations, Lemonier challenges viewers to confront their own discomforts and preconceptions. His works become a mirror of our own inner ambivalence, confronting us with fundamental questions about our understanding of identity, gender and belonging. This approach invites everyone to embrace the complexity inherent in the human experience.
TM Projects
TM Projects is a London-based art gallery and cultural platform founded by Tina Maslakova. TM Projects aims to redefine the cultural business landscape in London by representing the diversity and intellectual richness of the city's art scene. Through cross-sector collaborations, TM Projects strives to bring most value to the artistic community and its partners.