Artists Space

Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar

February 11 – April 23, 2022

A color film still of two figures at a table. Only their lower torsos and hands are visible. The figure on the right wears a watch and shuffles a deck of red playing cards next to several green bills.
Film still from Mo’ Money, 1992, Columbia Pictures. [A color film still of two figures at a table. Only their lower torsos and hands are visible. The figure on the right wears a watch and shuffles a deck of red playing cards next to several green bills.]

Artists Space presents Pittsburgh-based artist Lyndon Barrois Jr.’s first New York institutional solo exhibition, an interconnected suite of drawings, paintings, installations, and sculptural vignettes which explore instances of forgery, subterfuge, gesture, and magic within the history of film. Working deftly across numerous artistic mediums, Barrois’ work breaks down, reframes, and reconfigures these transitory and at times archetypical moments in cinematic expression to pose critical questions around technique, motivation, and value. His practice engages the materiality of images as reproductions and the complexities of transitioning between two and three dimensions and between movement and stasis.

For his exhibition at Artists Space, Barrois' myriad artistic practices will consider the thin lines within painting that separate creation, conservation, and forgery in relation to cinema’s depictions of cons and misdirections. In doing so, he enacts a “hall of mirrors,” animating these disconnected details, objects, and elements and then re-networking them to both stage and study their practical effects. A central reference is the game Three-card Monte, a persistent form of trickery and close-up street magic appearing throughout the exhibition which, for Barrois, parallels painting and art making in general as a kind of sleight-of-hand—the experience of magic being the point at which conviction overrides logic, an affect of performance that is present in both narrative fiction and static representation.

A color photograph of a painting in a gallery space. The canvas is mostly dark, featuring a set of hands with cards in the lower left corner. In the background, some wall text is visible next to a door with a red exit sign above.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Comedy Production, 2022. Oil on canvas, cardboard, chiseled nails, copper pigment. 24 x 36 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a painting in a gallery space. The canvas is mostly dark, featuring a set of hands with cards in the lower left corner. In the background, some wall text is visible next to a door with a red exit sign above.]
A color photograph of two cardboard boxes stacked on a printer and resting against a dark column in a gallery space. The top box is narrow and open at the top, and the second box is large with blue text and detailing.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Primary Magi, 2021. Solvent transfers on gessoed copper, MagiColor 1600 printer and box, cardboard. 38 x 22 x 19 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of two cardboard boxes stacked on a printer and resting against a dark column in a gallery space. The top box is narrow and open at the top, and the second box is large with blue text and detailing.]
A color photograph of a door with multiple nested smaller doors within the doorframe. Each individual doorway is framed with a gold outline. To the left are several empty picture frames and two studio lights. In front of dark green curtains is a painting set in a gold frame.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Guardians Gate (Farfanicchio), 2022; Masters of Fine Arts, 2011/2022. Wood, latex paint, antique brass elements, cast iron, oil paint, twigs, brass, burlap, packing felt; oil on canvas, artist frame, solvent transfer, plywood, curtains, frames, lights, easels, conservators coat, headlamp. Dimensions variable. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a door with multiple nested smaller doors within the doorframe. Each individual doorway is framed with a gold outline. To the left are several empty picture frames and two studio lights. In front of dark green curtains is a painting set in a gold frame.]
A color photograph of a door with multiple nested smaller doors within the doorframe. Each individual doorway is framed with a gold outline. To the left are several empty picture frames and two studio lights. In front of dark green curtains is a painting set in a gold frame.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Guardians Gate (Farfanicchio), 2022; Masters of Fine Arts, 2011/2022. Wood, latex paint, antique brass elements, cast iron, oil paint, twigs, brass, burlap, packing felt; oil on canvas, artist frame, solvent transfer, plywood, curtains, frames, lights, easels, conservators coat, headlamp. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak [A color photograph of a door with multiple nested smaller doors within the doorframe. Each individual doorway is framed with a gold outline. To the left are several empty picture frames and two studio lights. In front of dark green curtains is a painting set in a gold frame.]
A color photograph of an installation. In front of dark green curtains, a painting in a gold frame is illuminated. To the left, a conservator
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Masters of Fine Arts, 2011/2022. Oil on canvas, artist frame, solvent transfer, plywood, curtains, frames, lights, easels, conservators coat, headlamp. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of an installation. In front of dark green curtains, a painting in a gold frame is illuminated. To the left, a conservator's coat hangs from an easel. Several empty frames and a studio light are visible on the right.]
A color photograph of a doorstop shaped like a donkey. The donkey carries a bundle of sticks on its back and props open a brown door.
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a doorstop shaped like a donkey. The donkey carries a bundle of sticks on its back and props open a brown door.]
A color installation view of a gallery space with three dark columns. A wicker pannier and a yellow brocade couch are visible in the foreground. In the background, a multi-tiered door, several paintings, a wooden stool and nightstand are also visible.
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color installation view of a gallery space with three dark columns. A wicker pannier and a yellow brocade couch are visible in the foreground. In the background, a multi-tiered door, several paintings, a wooden stool and nightstand are also visible.]
A color photograph of a framed painting of two sets of hands. On top of the frame rests a color control strip.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Future Glimpsed, 2022. Oil on linen-mounted board, brass, solvent transfers, raw linen panel, linoleum frame, plywood. 20.75 x 16.75 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a framed painting of two sets of hands. On top of the frame rests a color control strip.]
A color photograph of a gallery space with several dark columns. A small wooden chest with a red piece of fabric and three white objects on top along with a small wooden stool are visible in the foreground. Further in the background are a yellow couch and a large wicker pannier..
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a gallery space with several dark columns. A small wooden chest with a red piece of fabric and three white objects on top along with a small wooden stool are visible in the foreground. Further in the background are a yellow couch and a large wicker pannier..]
A color installation view of a gallery space with several dark columns. A yellow brocade couch, wooden nightstand, wicker pannier, and police tape outlining a rectangle on the wall with three additional strips extending from the wall to the floor are visible.
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color installation view of a gallery space with several dark columns. A yellow brocade couch, wooden nightstand, wicker pannier, and police tape outlining a rectangle on the wall with three additional strips extending from the wall to the floor are visible.]
A color photograph of a wooden nightstand with a red hankerchief, ceramic frog, wand, and enamel tumblers. On the right side of the nightstand, a brass hoop rests on the floor, propped up against the nightstand.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., The Conjuror (After Bosch) f/ Addoley Dzegede, 2022. Enamel tumblers, ceramic frog, wooden wand, foam, graphite, batik dyed handkerchief, electroformed ink cartridge, copper, night stand. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a wooden nightstand with a red hankerchief, ceramic frog, wand, and enamel tumblers. On the right side of the nightstand, a brass hoop rests on the floor, propped up against the nightstand.]
A color photograph of a blye and white ceramic jug on a small wooden stool. Next to the jug is a color control strip.
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a blye and white ceramic jug on a small wooden stool. Next to the jug is a color control strip.]
A color photograph of a ceramic jub resting on a small wooden stool next to a color control strip. On the wall above and to the right is a painting of two hands. Another color control strip rests on top of the painting
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Breakaway Palm, 2022. Oil on linen-mounted board, brass, solvent transfers, raw linen panel, linoleum frame, plywood. 20.75 x 16.75 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a ceramic jub resting on a small wooden stool next to a color control strip. On the wall above and to the right is a painting of two hands. Another color control strip rests on top of the painting's frame.]
A color photograph of a drawer positioned vertically on plywood in the corner of a gallery space. In front of the drawer is a ceramic jug and several other obkects including a wand.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Diverses Expériences par la Baguette, 2022. Plastic, copper, brass, divination wand, drawer, ceramic jug, solvent transfers, plywood, brass. 35 x 26.5 x 19.5 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a drawer positioned vertically on plywood in the corner of a gallery space. In front of the drawer is a ceramic jug and several other obkects including a wand.]
A color photograph of a yellow couch in a gallery space. A cane with a white glove rests on the couch cushions and a rope extends from its base. In the background, police tape demarcates a rectangle on a wall, and three strips of police tape extend from the wall to the floor.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Unseen Hand (Fall Guy); Sinner Man, 2022. Couch, jute, antique cane, plastic, copper, brass, conservation glove; police tape, laser prints, museum board, MagiColor manual. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a yellow couch in a gallery space. A cane with a white glove rests on the couch cushions and a rope extends from its base. In the background, police tape demarcates a rectangle on a wall, and three strips of police tape extend from the wall to the floor.]
A color photograph of a gallery space. Two small paintings hang on the wall between concrete columns set into the wall. In the foreground, a large wicker pannier is visible. Two strips of police tape can be seen in the right corner of the frame.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Divine Agent, 2022. Wicker pannier, plastic, copper, brass, conservation glove, moonshine jug, solvent transfers, plywood, brass, wooden owl figurine, dyed silk. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a gallery space. Two small paintings hang on the wall between concrete columns set into the wall. In the foreground, a large wicker pannier is visible. Two strips of police tape can be seen in the right corner of the frame.]
A color photograph of a gallery space. In the foreground is a large wicker pannier with a white glove, small wooden stool, and ceramic jug on top. In the background a small portrait of a donkey in blue is visible.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Divine Agent, 2022; Balthazar (After Bresson), 2021. Wicker pannier, plastic, copper, brass, conservation glove, moonshine jug, solvent transfers, plywood, brass, wooden owl figurine, dyed silk.; blue graphite on paper, antique brass frame. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a gallery space. In the foreground is a large wicker pannier with a white glove, small wooden stool, and ceramic jug on top. In the background a small portrait of a donkey in blue is visible.]
A small framed drawing of a donkey head in blue, resting on a white shelf against the wall of a gallery space.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Balthazar (After Bresson), 2021. Blue graphite on paper, antique brass frame. 10 x 8 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A small framed drawing of a donkey head in blue, resting on a white shelf against the wall of a gallery space.]
A color photograph of a gallery space. Hanging from the wall is a printer manual, police tape outlining a rectangle with three additional strips extending from the wall to the floor, and a wooden rectangular painting.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Sinner Man, 2022; Double Appear (After Vuillard), 2013. Police tape, laser prints, museum board, MagiColor manual; oil on board, artist frame, solvent transfer, plywood. Dimensions variable. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a gallery space. Hanging from the wall is a printer manual, police tape outlining a rectangle with three additional strips extending from the wall to the floor, and a wooden rectangular painting.]
A gold framed painting of a seated figure with a grey beard in a tawny toned space.
Lyndon Barrois Jr., Double Appear (After Vuillard), 2013. Oil on board, artist frame, solvent transfer, plywood. 23.5 x 18.5 inches. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A gold framed painting of a seated figure with a grey beard in a tawny toned space.]
A color photograph of a white glove resting on a wicker pannier in a gallery space. The glove cups a multicolored card. Further in the background, an illuminated painting in a gold frame and a multi-tiered door are visible.
Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar. Installation view, Artists Space, 2022. Photo: Filip Wolak. [A color photograph of a white glove resting on a wicker pannier in a gallery space. The glove cups a multicolored card. Further in the background, an illuminated painting in a gold frame and a multi-tiered door are visible.]

Lyndon Barrois Jr.: Mirage Collar Exhibition Brochure

Lyndon Barrois Jr. is an artist and writer based in Pittsburgh, PA where he is an Assistant Professor of Art at Carnegie Mellon University. He is half of LAB:D, with artist Addoley Dzegede, with whom he has collaboratively staged two exhibitions, and co-authored a book of essays (Elleboog, at the Jan van Eyck Academie in 2019). Using magazines, advertising, cinema, and vernacular imagery as primary subjects of inquiry, Barrois’ multimedia practice breaks down and re-configures the languages of print, design, and popular culture in order to investigate underlying ideology, ethics, and conceptions of value. Recent solo exhibitions include Others Who Struggle with Nature at Rubber Factory NYC, Vague November at Van Eyck Open 2020, and Zaal 8 at Kasteel Oud Rekem in Belgium, and the two-person exhibition Dreamsickle with Kahlil Robert Irving at 47 Canal. Barrois Jr. received his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis (2013), and his BFA in painting from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (2006). He has recently completed residencies at Loghaven in Knoxville, the Van Eyck Academie in Maastricht (Netherlands), Fogo Island Arts in Newfoundland, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland.

Lead Support for Mirage Collar is provided by Beth Rudin DeWoody.

Program support is provided by Lambent Foundation Fund of Tides Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation, The Cowles Charitable Trust, The Cy Twombly Foundation, The David Teiger Foundation, The Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, Imperfect Family Foundation, Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, The Willem de Kooning Foundation, The Fox Aarons Foundation, Herman Goldman Foundation, The Destina Foundation, The Luce Foundation, May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation, Arison Arts Foundation, The David Rockefeller Fund, The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Foundation, The Jill and Peter Kraus Foundation, The Richard Pousette-Dart Foundation.