David Kordansky Gallery presents The Surrealist, a new exhibition by Mary Weatherford on view from May 16 to June 28, 2025, in Los Angeles. Known for her emotionally charged and materially adventurous paintings, Weatherford blends abstraction with unexpected elements such as neon lights, coral, and starfish. The exhibition showcases works ranging from grand murals to medium-format canvases, all revealing her deep engagement with modernist legacies, natural forms, and surreal atmospheres. Anchoring the show is the titular painting, a dreamlike, luminous composition that exemplifies her ability to marry technical daring with poetic ambiguity.
Weatherford’s practice extends beyond aesthetic exploration into material innovation—most notably her international sourcing of cadmium red pigment to maintain the vibrancy of her palette. Her monumental mural in the exhibition is a prime example of this commitment, featuring immersive, organic transitions in color and texture. Returning to motifs first explored in the 1990s, Weatherford reflects on the cyclical nature of her creative process, echoing historical depictions of self-observation and transformation. A celebrated figure in contemporary art, her work is held in major museum collections and has been featured in prominent exhibitions worldwide.
