Lee Wells
Final Fiesta in the Sun (EOW L21)
End of the World Party Series
2023
Archival pigment print
Edition of 5
Signed, dated and numbered by the artist
Caption: Final Fiesta in the Sun: Basking in the radiant light of a Los Angeles that won't see another dawn, the 'Sunny Side Squad' lounges in defiance of destiny. 'Ruby Ray,' 'Striped Sebastian,' 'Azure Alana,' and 'Goldie Grace' savor citrus tangs and cool vapors, their laughter mingling with the smoke that drifts upwards into an oblivious sky. They are the dazzling rebellion, the last guardians of glamour, making the world's curtain call their own exclusive celebration.
20 x 30 inches
Edition of 5 - $2300
30 x 40 inches
Edition of 5 - $3500
40 x 60 inches
Edition of 5 - $5700
48 x 72 inches
Edition of 1 - $8900
"Poolside Party (2023)" is a playful series of AI-assisted artworks by Lee Wells that reincarnates the Naiades from ancient mythology into lavish 21st-century pool parties. The project began while the artist was in residency in South Crete. During this period, he endeavoured to communicate with the local goddesses through meditation, natural medicine, and various AI tools. These tools served as channelling mediums, helping him gain a deeper understanding of the realms they inhabit, as well as our own. The digital artworks serve as a new form of painting, showcasing intriguing and exquisite figures relaxing and revelling poolside at mesmerising garden house parties. Through this collaborative effort between the artist, the spirits, and AI, the overarching message conveyed is that life is fleeting. Thus, the most crucial thing is to enjoy ourselves, have fun, and strive to love as best we can in this wonderful and strange world we call home.
Lee Wells (b.1971) is a conceptual artist, writer and technology consultant whose work ranges from painting, drawing and photography, to video and new media. His work focuses on systems of power and control in society and has been presented internationally for over 20 years. Most recently his work has investigated the influences of new technologies including artificial intelligence on contemporary life and asks the viewer to reevaluate their perceptions of reality and personal identity. Wells’ work has been included in exhibitions at the Guggenheim Museum, PS1/MoMA, Mykonos Biennale, National Center for Contemporary Art Moscow, 51st Venice Biennale, The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, in addition to numerous universities, festivals, art fairs, and galleries. Wells was a co-founder of The Perpetual Art Machine, the video art community portal project (2006-2011), Curator at Large for Scope Art Fair (2005-2012) and has directed the alternative curatorial platform IFAC Arts since 1996. IFAC continues today with project spaces in New York and Athens Greece.