Alex Laurie and Sophia Laurie
Augur of Mercury
May 09 - June 08
Stave (detail), 2024
Grace is pleased to present Augur of Mercury, an exhibition by Alex Laurie and Sophia Laurie.
While Alex's work lingers in the coincidence of pattern and action within nature, behaviours such as orbit, radiation, bifurcation, slipping into the demotic, present in games, present in the kitchen, Sophia's wax pictures exist at the other end of the sign-seeking cycle, where inanimate subjects lack any coincidence as they appear petrified, killed, mimesis delivering yearned-for stasis.
Alex Laurie (1991) is an artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Alex’s previous exhibitions include The Person (Coastal Signs, 2022), List with Sophia Laurie (Cathedral Cabinet, 2019), Aggrieved Weaklings (Gus Fisher Gallery, 2018).
Sophia Laurie (1997) is an artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Sophia’s previous exhibitions include The Fool at Empty (George Fraser, 2023), Notes to Self (Paper Anniversary, 2022) and List with Alex Laurie (Cathedral Cabinet, 2019).
Augur of Mercury (installation view), 2024
Insect Prospectus, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 300 x 210
Till Eulenspiegel, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 215 x 145
Tarry, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 210 x 300
Pan, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 150 x 220
Portent, 2024 Steam bent White Ash, aluminium cookware, reclaimed Rimu, glass Dimensions variable
Stave, 2024 Steam bent White Ash, aluminium cookware, reclaimed Rimu, glass Dimensions variable
Augur of Mercury (installation view), 2024
Neu Bau, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 215 x 215
Upsilon, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 125 x 220
Satellite Text, 2024 Steam bent Rimu, stainless steel cookware, reclaimed Cedar, glass Dimensions variable
Augur
A religious official of Ancient Rome who observed natural signs, especially the behaviour of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine intent.
of
Expressing the relationship between a part and a whole.
Mercury
The god who served as messenger. Also the god of commerce, thievery, eloquence, and science, identified with the Greek god Hermes.
The planet nearest the sun.
Colander (5), 2024 Steam bent Cedar, glass Dimensions variable
Water Picture, 2024 Pigmented wax encaustic on hardboard 220 x 120
Please contact the gallery for a full catalogue of Augur of Mercury.