We extend our warmest congratulations to Rex Southwick on the notable inclusion of his work in the permanent collection of the Palm Springs Art Museum.
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For the artist, Palm Springs has always embodied a sense of fascination and myth, seemingly defined by its ties to the film industry and the legacy of Old Hollywood.
Purple Lands was first presented at Unit London for the artist’s eponymous solo exhibition in 2020. The focus on the labourers in the paintings shows these typically glamorised environments in a more raw and approachable light, offering a stark contrast to our usual exposure to such places through digital platforms. These works also highlight the disparity between the lives of the builders and the owner or future inhabitant of the space. The works are not intended to be some sort of visual exposé on immigrant labour, but rather an insight into contemporary lifestyle ideals and the reality of the spaces we are accustomed to seeing in a more polished and refined state.
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Rex Southwick, 'Purple Lands', 2020, Oil on canvas, 270 x 300 cm.
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Rex Southwick, 'Purple Lands', 2020, Oil on canvas, 270 x 300 cm.
BIOGRAPHY
Rex Southwick, known for his striking use of colour and tone, is a young contemporary talent who currently lives and works in North London. After graduating from Leeds Arts University with First Class Honours, Southwick was awarded the AON Community Art Award in 2018. Southwick’s work has been exhibited widely in group exhibitions across the UK and is featured in recognised private collections, including The Frank-Suss Collection. In 2019, Southwick presented works at London Fashion Week and collaborated with the super-group The Power Station to create a cover for their album. The same year, Southwick presented his debut solo exhibition with Unit London, entitled Querencia. In 2021, Southwick was part of the Rites of Passage group exhibition at Unit London.
PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Art Museum is an innovative and forward-thinking artistic cultural centre in the Coachella Valley, in Riverside County, California, United States, founded in 1938. It has been focused on design and contemporary art since 2004.
Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Palm Springs Art Museum has 28 galleries, two sculpture gardens, four classrooms, resource centres, five storage vaults, an 85-seat lecture hall, a 433-seat theatre, a 1,000-square-foot store, and a popular local bistro.