Wes Lang

Wes Lang

The Black Paintings

The Black Paintings


HENI is delighted to present The Black Paintings by acclaimed American artist Wes Lang, featuring 96 paintings and 96 works on paper that have never been exhibited before.

The paintings are acrylic on canvas and linen and range in size from 27 x 34.8 cm to 248.6 x 279 cm (framed). The drawings are acrylic, crayon and pencil on paper and come in two sizes, 67 x 87.2 cm and 87.2 x 67 cm (framed). All artworks are set within a wooden frame and signed on the back.

To coincide with the drop, HENI presents two exhibitions that will show the artworks for the first time. The paintings are on show at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery. The drawings are exhibited at the HENI Gallery.

Applications can be made through this website from 26 September.

Wes Lang

American artist Wes Lang creates provoking artworks, primarily on canvas and paper and featuring a universe of striking characters, that intend to inspire and motivate. Populating his works with everything from skulls, grim reapers and country music icons to flora, birds and horses, Lang’s imagery has the capacity to reach a wide-ranging audience but is nonetheless deeply personal.

Lang’s work can be found in notable international collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Damien Hirst’s collection. He lives and works in Los Angeles.

"I really wanted to sit down and make a body of work that shows people that all this noise and all these divisive faces of evil that we’re told matter don’t have to consume your mind and the way you feel about the world."

About The Black Paintings

The Black Paintings series features works produced between 2022 and 2024 that are populated by Lang’s distinctive group of characters, namely his favoured skeleton, but also animal-like and otherworldly beings. At times set against completely obscured, dark backgrounds, while at others lush landscapes, Lang’s compositions are story-like.

While Lang’s paintings are dense with colour and imagery, his drawings are lighter, leaving broad and contemplative white spaces on the pages. Often, these works on paper include text, sometimes integrating phrases that echo Taoist philosophy, while other times using more personal expressions.

Text and image frequently appear to be incongruous, encouraging viewers to engage further with the works and uncover meanings for themselves. Lang is known for taking inspiration from a wide range of sources, masterfully fusing the styles of his fine art heroes with memories and imagery from childhood and culture.

Exclusive Merchandise

You can now buy exclusive apparel, posters, accessories and more from The Black Paintings collection on the HENI Merch shop. The merchandise collection will also be available at Newport Street Gallery and HENI Gallery.

The artworks on view

Newport Street Gallery
To coincide with the drop, the paintings will be on show for the first time at Damien Hirst’s Newport Street Gallery. The exhibition, presented by HENI, is open from 27 September 2024 to 9 March 2025.

Exhibition dates: 27 September 2024 - 9 March 2025
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm
Address: Newport Street Gallery, 1 Newport Street, London, SE11 6AJ
Admission: Free Entry

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HENI Gallery
The 96 drawings from The Black Paintings will be on show at HENI Gallery. Admission to the gallery is free.

Exhibition dates: 27 September 2024 - 22 November 2024
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm
Address: HENI Gallery, 6-10 Lexington St, London W1F 0LB
Admission: Free Entry

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