Alexis Ralaivao joins Kasmin

Kasmin is delighted to welcome Alexis Ralaivao (b. 1991, France) to the gallery. To celebrate the announcement, two new paintings by the artist will be featured in our Art Basel Hong Kong presentation from March 28–30. The artist’s first exhibition at Kasmin went on view at the gallery’s 297 Tenth Avenue space in June 2023. 

Ralaivao’s sensual and diaristic oil paintings find affective charge in carefully selected quotidian scenes. Reimagining the Northern European tradition of genre painting, Ralaivao seamlessly synthesizes the techniques and attentive gaze of Dutch Golden Age painters—Johannes Vermeer and Gerard Ter Borch among them—while remaining rooted in our contemporary society. “I start with a scene from everyday life, ordinary intimate moments,” the artist has said. “But as I sketch and paint them, they become something more. Layers after layers, what was the ‘truth’ is mixed with my personal feelings, desires and fantasies.” Using classical painterly techniques, Ralaivao’s sensitive encapsulations of his subjects’ daily routines possess a timeless humanity and immediacy. His works deftly synthesize wide-reaching cultural reference points, drawing from his ongoing, intensive autodidactic studies of the history of painting and composition, the language of photography, antiques, and French literature. With a deep understanding and appreciation of the artistic allusions in his work, Ralaivao firmly establishes himself in the lineage of painting’s masters and mavericks.

Eric Gleason, Head of Sales at Kasmin, says: “Alexis' painting practice is one of the most genuine, sincere and thoughtful that I have encountered within his generation. His obsession with the history of painting is unwavering, his technical facility impressive, and his commitment to the studio inspiring. Our collaboration has been a true pleasure from the outset and Kasmin is honored to be Alexis' representing gallery going forward."