Dan Rawlings: A Better Way Forward

14 March - 12 April 2025

Overview

Chenus Longhi Gallery presents “A Better Way Forward“, the new exhibition by Dan Rawlings, an artist who has been committed to an ecological approach for many years. This exhibition explores the invisibility of waste and invites reflection on the impact of our industrial and social choices.

A Glimpse into the Invisible

A passionate urban explorer, Dan Rawlings regularly ventures into abandoned industrial sites in search of forgotten metal objects. One day, he stumbles upon a place where thousands of discarded tires are piled up. This chaotic sight, a symbol of industrial recklessness, leaves an indelible mark on the artist’s mind.

In this new exhibition, Rawlings highlights a troubling truth: just because something is invisible does not mean it does not exist, and making a problem invisible does not solve it. Through his work, he questions industrial policies and the practice of burying or stockpiling waste in remote locations.

Between Visible and Invisible: The Poetry of Shadows

A Better Way Forward brings together around twenty cut-metal works: advertising panels from the automotive world, fire extinguishers, gasoline jerrycans, and a few unexpected surprises. Visitors will also rediscover his iconic series of freestanding road signs, a key part of the artist’s journey. These works cast shadows that evoke forests, revealing the invisible with striking poetry.

A Powerful Message Inspired by a Universal Symbol

The exhibition’s title borrows the slogan of the Michelin brand, delivering a subtle yet impactful critique of the automotive industry. The iconic Bibendum, a central figure in this event, becomes a witness to the contradictions in ecological discourse. The striking image of abandoned tires—a recurring element in the exhibition—leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.

Far from being a mere observation, "A Better Way Forward" is a call for awareness, where the artist invites each of us to examine our own relationship with the visible and the invisible.

PUBLIC OPENING THURSDAY 13 MARCH, 2025 FROM 6PM IN PRESENCE OF THE ARTIST

GALERIE CHENUS LONGHI

116, bd Richard Lenoir, Paris 11e