Lévy Gorvy Dayan will present Francesco Clemente’s Self-Portraits in the Bardo­—a significant series from his recent practice on view for the first time. Here, in eight vivid and visionary canvases, the artist fuses self-portraiture with an exploration of imagery found in traditional Tibetan Buddhist representations of the bardo. The bardo is a central concept in Tibetan Buddhism, describing a liminal state of consciousness associated with the moment between death and rebirth. On each canvas, Clemente creates a contrast between his grisaille self-portrait in the foreground and the richly hued background, where the deities of the bardo manifest in kaleidoscopic arrangements of form and color. Expressions of humanity and contemporary life, the paintings speak to the pursuit of spiritual guidance and deliverance—and to Clemente’s belief in art as a unique vehicle for insight and enlightenment.

Self-Portraits in the Bardo marks the gallery’s third solo presentation of Clemente in London, and the first in the new space at the Empress Club, 35 Dover Street. The exhibition will be accompanied by an essay by
Sir Norman Rosenthal.