An Evening in 'Paradiso' - Hosted by Palazzo Foundation | RSVP

The Palazzo Foundation in partnership with NorthStandard is pleased to present An Evening in Paradiso - the latest exhibition by British painter James Hawke, to coincide with Frieze London, 2025. Complimentary Italian wines and refreshments will be provided on the night.

Earlier this year, The Palazzo Foundation inaugurated its programme with a four-month institutional solo exhibition by British painter James Hawke, titled Life in Transit. Responding to Genoa’s maritime history and Italy’s enduring relationship with the sea, Hawke’s work drew inspiration from the villa’s Renaissance frescoes, its layered artistic and cultural heritage, and even the literary resonance of Charles Dickens’ visit, during which he famously described an apparition of the Virgin Mary.

With his solo presentation at Villa delle Peschiere being ranked as a ‘must-do’ in Europe by Yahoo, Hawke now brings a smaller and refreshed selection of paintings to the J/M Gallery in Notting Hill, London. Having coined the working title ‘Poolside’ when he began the series in 1998, the artist presents an expansive range of works made available for this show in particular, as well as a small amount of works from the Life in Transit show in Genoa.

The exhibition title ‘Paradiso’ is taken from Dante’s La Divina Commedia, an allegory Hawke revisits regularly for its imagery of paradise, purgatory and hell. Paradiso is the direction of perfection, heaven, the ideal - with its truths questioned and scrutinised. It can also refer to an artificial paradise. It’s this search and longing which summarises the beauty of his paintings: somewhat unsettling, yet vivacious and bright - a longing for Paradiso.

Taking a particular interest in the analogies of boundaries, borders and human sociological behaviours, Hawke meticulously paints beach scenarios using a combination of flat, fragmented shape and colour. With this method, he creates complex visions of people and objects as visually-represented masses of social activity.

James Hawke has painted and drawn full-time since his time at college, and his practice is devoted to painting and preparatory drawing. He studied drawing at L’École upérieure des Beaux Arts, Paris (Studio Pierre Matthey) and then painting at Manchester Polytechnic. Hawke's work is featured in prominent collections across the UK, USA, Hong Kong, China and Singpaore - and has just finished a 4-month presentation at the renowned Villa Delle Peschiere (Palazzo `Foundation, Italy).

We hope to see you there!