Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine

Los Angeles

October 24 – December 5, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine
Installation View
Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles, 2020

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Vase Still Life Arrangement Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Flesh Eating Flowers, 2020
oil on canvas
39.5 x 31.9 in
100.5 x 81 cm

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Painting Still Life Arrangement Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Fat Flowers, 2020
oil on canvas
31.5 x 25.5 in
80 x 65 cm

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Vase Still Life Arrangement Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
A Holiday Arrangement, 2019
oil on canvas
23.5 x 16 in
60 x 40.50 cm

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Vase Still Life Arrangement Nicodim painting

Georgina Gratrix
Three Views of a Vase II, 2020
oil on canvas
21.7 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Vase Still Life Arrangement Nicodim painting

Georgina Gratrix
Three Views of a Vase III, 2020
oil on canvas
21.7 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Model Youth, 2019
oil on canvas
23.6 x 16 in
60 x 40.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Flowers Vase Still Life Arrangement Nicodim painting

Georgina Gratrix
Ardmore Vase with Snapdragon and Lily, 2020
oil on canvas
21.6 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Still Life Flower Painting Bird Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Still Life with Starling, 2020
oil on canvas
29.3 x 25.4 in
74.5 x 64.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Painting Nicodim Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Influencer, 2020
oil on canvas
19.7 x 13.75 in
50 x 35 cm

Nicodim Georgina Gratrix Dog Puppy Painting Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Mr Enninful and Ru, 2020
oil on canvas
21.65 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Still Life Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Breakfast, 2020
oil on canvas
17.75 x 21.7 in
45 x 55 cm

Georgina Gratrix Critic Fan Iconoclast Painting Group Portrait 2020 Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
A Critic, a Fan, and an Iconoclast (in no particular order), 2020
oil on canvas
18.1 x 22.05 in
46 x 56 cm

Georgina Gratrix Study Painting Pink Couch 2020 Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Study of Pink Couch, 2020
oil on canvas
17.75 x 21.65 in
45 x 55 cm

Georgina Gratrix Pink Couch Study Matthew Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Study of Pink Couch (Matthew Reclining), 2020
oil on canvas
17.75 x 21.65 in
45 x 55 cm

Georgina Gratrix Supine Woman Painting Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Supine Woman, 2020
oil on canvas
13.75 x 19.7 in
35 x 50 cm

Georgina Gratrix American Woman Portrait Painting Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
American Woman, 2020
oil on canvas
21.65 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Simphiwe Ndzube Portrait Nicodim Gallery Exhibition South Africa

Georgina Gratrix
Simphiwe, 2020
oil on canvas
23.6 x 17.75 in
60 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Mihai Nicodim Portrait 2020 Los Angeles Bucharest Gallery

Georgina Gratrix
Mihai, 2020
oil on canvas
21.65 x 17.75 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Dennis Rodman Portrait Nicodim Gallery Los Angeles Basketball Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Dennis, 2020
oil on canvas
27.5 x 24 in
70 x 61 cm

Georgina Gratrix Beach Bather Portrait Nicodim Gallery Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Beach Bather, 2020
oil on canvas
21.65 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Little Clown Painting Nicodim Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Little Clown, 2020
oil on canvas
21.65 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Painting Nicodim Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Earvin, 2020
oil on canvas
21.6 x 17.7 in
55 x 45 cm

Georgina Gratrix Quarantine Painting 2020 Nicodim South Africa

Georgina Gratrix
Quarantine Look, 2020
oil on canvas
28 x 23.6 in
71 x 60 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Old Bones, 2020
oil on canvas
31.5 x 26.75 in
80 x 68 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Gallery

Georgina Gratrix
Heavy Head, 2020
oil on canvas
24.8 x 20.5 in
63 x 52 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
The Ex-Wife, 2020
oil on canvas
23.6 x 17.9 in
60 x 45.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
The G.O.A.T., 2020
oil on canvas
29.33 x 25.75 in
74.5 x 65.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Chicago Bulls Painting Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Dream Team, 2020
oil on canvas
26 x 31.5 in
66 x 80 cm

Georgina Gratrix Nicodim Scotty Pipin Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Scotty, 2020
oil on canvas
23.6 x 17.9 in
60 x 45.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Painting Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Heartthrob, 2020
oil on canvas
35.5 x 27.5 in
90 x 70 cm

Georgina Gratrix Michael Jordan Painting Basketball Portrait 2020

Georgina Gratrix
Baller, 2020
oil on canvas
23.8 x 27.5 in
60.5 x 70 cm

Georgina Gratrix Detective Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
The T.V. Detective, 2020
oil on canvas
29.5 x 25.8 in
75 x 65.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Nicodim Lacoste Arrangement Flowers Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Arrangement in Lacoste, 2020
oil on canvas
29.33 x 25.75 in
74.5 x 65.5 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait Nicodim Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Don't Need No Man, 2020
oil on canvas
35.5 x 27.6 in
90 x 70 cm

Georgina Gratrix Painting Nicodim Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Unlikely Ambassador, 2020
oil on canvas
35.5 x 27.5 in
90 x 70 cm

Georgina Gratrix
Who's who?, 2020
oil on canvas
47.25 x 35.5 in
120 x 90 cm

Georgina Gratrix Painting Nicodim Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
Vriende, 2020
oil on canvas
65 x 53.15 in
165 x 135 cm

Georgina Gratrix Bouquet Painting Flowers Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
Ming Pop, 2020
oil on canvas
65 x 53.15 in
165 x 135 cm

Georgina Gratrix Bouquet Flowers Painting

Georgina Gratrix
Beat Pop Bouquet, 2020
oil on canvas
72.8 x 84.6 in
185 x 215 cm

Georgina Gratrix Band Painting Portrait 2020 Nicodim The Honeytones The Bad Reviews

Georgina Gratrix
The Honey Reviews, 2020
oil on canvas
82.68 x 94.88 in
210 x 241 cm

Georgina Gratrix Wandering Nudes Painting 2020 Nicodim

Georgina Gratrix
The Wandering Nudes, 2020
oil on canvas
72.83 x 84.65 in
185 x 215 cm

Georgina Gratrix Portrait People Painting

Georgina Gratrix
The Three Graces, 2020
oil on canvas
72.8 x 84.65 in
185 x 215 cm

Georgina Gratrix Painting Exhibition Reunion Portrait

Georgina Gratrix
The Reunion, 2020
oil on canvas
85 x 125 in
216 x 317 cm

Press Release

Georgina Gratrix: The Pleasure is Mine and Georgina Gratrix: Nine Weeks are the South African artist’s first solo exhibitions Stateside.

 

Most frequently employed as a genteel response to “it’s a pleasure to meet you,” the phrase “the pleasure is mine” possesses a distinctly old-world quality. It harkens to a time when women would curtsy, men bowed and kissed hands, no one wore white after Labor Day, and ladies sipped tea with their pinkies outstretched. Today, folks have a sort of rote acknowledgment of these dated social constructions committed to muscle memory, but no real-world cognizance of their actual purpose or meaning. Georgina Gratrix’s work is not concerned with those days, however, but rather the present’s interpretation of those days, when history is viewed through the lens of a Google browser and context is nonexistent.

 

Gratrix’s The Pleasure is Mine delights in the awkward, charming clumsiness of attempting to mind one’s manners in the present day, when manners are all but obsolete. The gallery is an anarchic arrangement of colorful canvases in Gratrix’s signature heavy impasto, paying homage to her contemporary inspirations and the canonical masters that preceded her with equal credence. Hypothetical rock bands, television stars, and people no one likes are portrayed with the joyful irreverence of an alien being seeing such creatures for the first time. Massive, larger-than-still-lifes nod to that historical tradition, while the artist joyfully depicts members of the 1998 Chicago Bulls championship team with the same vigor. Her “The Three Graces” are as much Ab-Fab as they are Raphael or Rubens. Having freed herself from the confines of strict representation as dictated by linear academia, the pleasure, really, is all hers.

 

Georgina Gratrix (b. 1982, Mexico City, Mexico) grew up in Durban, South Africa. She studied at the Michaelis School of Fine Art, University of Cape Town, and graduated in 2005, specializing in painting. She was recently awarded the Discovery Prize at the 50th Anniversary edition of Art Brussels, for her presentation with SMAC Gallery. Gratrix is a recipient of the Ampersand Fellowship Award and completed her residency at the Ampersand Foundation in New York City in 2018.

 

Recent exhibitions include Recent Acquisitions by the Homestead Collection, Norval Foundation, Cape Town (2020); Hollywood Babylon, Jeffrey Deitch, Nicodim Gallery, and AUTRE Magazine, Los Angeles, CA (2020); Skin Stealers, Nicodim Gallery, Los Angeles (2019); Punch, Jeffrey Deitch, Los Angeles, (2019); Everybody loves the sunshine, Plus One Gallery, Antwerp, Belgium (2018); On Repeat, SMAC Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa (2017, solo); Puppy Love, SMAC Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa (2016, solo); and Thinking, Feeling, Head, Heart, curated by Marilyn Martin, New Church Museum, Cape Town, South Africa (2015).