The Cohle Gallery is proud to present the second solo show by French artist Ador, entitled Olibrius! In this exhibition we are confronted with the artist’s reality, full of caricature, humor, and sarcasm, where we are each free to create our own narratives from the images presented. The exhibition is on view from April 7 - 30, 2022.

Throughout the exhibition, Ador deals with issues of current affairs, oftentimes complex or political. Rendered using his signature detailed style, his work presents scenes that lie somewhere between playfulness and darkness. The show’s opening coincides with the launch of the artists new book, with both serving to show Ador’s collection of imagined characters brought together for the first time.

Ador, who is based in Nantes in the west of France, has previously showcased work both in gallery exhibitions and outdoor murals worldwide, including a previous solo show at the Cohle Gallery in March of 2020. Two years later, he returns with Olibrius.

Image description: A photo of an installation of a variety of paintings by artist Ador hung on white walls. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Image description: A painting by artist Ador of a variety of his characters talking to each other and doing various things in an empty lot. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.

About the artist: Ador has previously showcased work both in the form of gallery exhibitions and outdoor murals worldwide. Ador is constantly looking to his surroundings, interested to see what he can learn next. The things that he learns become the inspiration for his work - current affairs, cultural phenomena and language. For him, art and creativity are ways in which one can take refuge from the madness of reality and find meaning. His characters are often drawn from fairytales, yet find themselves suddenly faced with reality. Ador’s goal is to portray the point where the silly meets the serious, often using caricature and satire. In choosing to use these childlike, eccentric and relatable characters as protagonists, Ador is able to address complex political or philosophical issues through his work, avoiding confrontation and making them easier to digest for the viewer. Not impeded by language barriers, his wish is that his work can be understandable and relatable for people from all walks of life, a sort of universal imagery.

About the gallery: The Cohle Gallery is a contemporary gallery based in Paris, France. Founded in 2016, the gallery specializes in figurative and semi-abstract art with works in a variety of mediums. They are proud to represent a large number of both French and international emerging artists and are committed to supporting creative development.

Image description: A painting of a rat standing on a mountain of cheese with fists triumphantly in the air by artist Ador. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.
Image description: A painting of a bee standing on a mountain of flowers by artist Ador. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.
Image description: A painting by artist Ador of a variety of his characters standing together. One man in the middle has three eyes and holds a bright pink balloon. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.
Image description: A painting by artist Ador of a person with no eyes sitting with their head in their hands with a blank piece of paper in front of them on a table. Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.
Image description: A painting by artist Ador of a banana with arms and legs holding a suitcase and a sign that says "NYC". Courtesy of The Cohle Gallery.
Painting by Ador.