Everyone Scurries

From May 21 to June 20, 2026, Ceysson & Bénétière Paris presents an exhibition of works by American artist Nancy Graves (1939–1995), spanning the years 1977 to 1990. Throughout her career, Graves explored sculpture, painting, drawing, watercolor, and lithography, gaining international recognition. Her work often drew inspiration from zoology, paleontology, astronomy, and dance, as well as art history and antiquity. This exhibition highlights her practice of reinterpreting sources through vivid color and diverse materials, demonstrating her consistent openness to experimentation and refusal to adhere to a single style.

Graves's artistic process involved layering imagery from various sources, including architectural plans, archaeological sites, and modern art. She incorporated techniques ranging from pencil and pastel to acrylic and oil, often using mixed media with elements like glitter and sculptural components. Her work engages with themes of fragmentation, visual layering, and the reintroduction of historical motifs to create new perceptions. While her art can evoke historical or economic contexts, Graves emphasized its abstract and formal structure, reflecting on the temporality of artworks and the decontextualization of cultural fragments.