NICOLAS PARTY : Dead Fish
Jan 8 - Feb 14, 2026
Karma Gallery, 549 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
This is my second post about Nicolas Party’s latest solo exhibition in Chelsea. I’ve prepared the remaining photos from my last visit, along with some snapshots from the "Artist Talk" held during the exhibition. So many people attended to brighten the occasion. It was a wonderful time where I could personally hear the behind-the-scenes stories and the artist’s own thoughts on his work. Although the session was brief and couldn't cover many questions, just hearing him speak in person was a vivid and inspiring experience.
In the smaller gallery room where the talk took place, one of Nicolas Party’s signature large-scale pastel murals was on display. I had only seen his pastel works in photos before, so seeing one in person for the first time was truly captivating—the sheer scale was overwhelming. I find his constant research and reference to classical masterpieces deeply admirable. It reminded me once again that new ideas often stem from a profound study of the past.
I’ve captured a video of the exhibition for you. Since the works are small in scale, they might be hard to see in detail, but it’s perfect for getting a feel for the overall atmosphere of the gallery. I hope you enjoy the unique mood of Nicolas Party’s world at Karma.
작은 구리판 조각들의 섬세함에 매료되었던 1편에 이어, 2편에서 마주한 대형 파스텔 벽화는 그야말로 압도적인 존재감을 뿜어내고 있었어요. 사진으로만 접하던 파스텔 특유의 부드러우면서도 강렬한 색채를 실제로 마주하니, 공간 전체가 작가의 호흡으로 가득 차 있는 듯한 기분이었어요.
특히 작가와의 대화를 통해 들은 그의 철학은 무척 인상 깊었어요. 새로운 것은 하늘 아래 갑자기 떨어지는 것이 아니라, 거장들의 발자취를 끊임없이 연구하고 소화해낼 때 비로소 탄생한다는 그 겸손한 고집이 지금의 독보적인 니콜라스 파티를 만든 원동력이 아닐까 싶어요. 감사합니다.
Following the fascination I felt for the delicate details of the small copper plates in Part 1, the monumental pastel mural I encountered in Part 2 exuded a truly overwhelming presence. Seeing the soft yet intense colors unique to pastels in person—which I had only previously seen in photos—made me feel as though the entire space was filled with the artist’s own breath.
The philosophy he shared during the artist talk was particularly impressive. His humble yet firm conviction—that the "new" does not simply fall from the sky, but is born only through the constant study and internalizing of the footsteps of the old masters—must be the driving force that has made Nicolas Party the incomparable artist he is today. Thank you.
NICOLAS PARTY - KARMA GALLERY PART I
