For Paris Internationale 2023, Nolan Simon (b. 1980 in Detroit, USA) has created two new paintings from his Cabinet series. These masterpieces of trompe l’oeil offer a pleasing technical virtuosity playfully subverted by unexpected combinations of objects and materials. In a nod to the history of painting’s imitation of life, mirror-like reflections give the illusion of a window into the artist’s studio, and invite the viewer to peer behind the scenes of the artwork’s creation.

Nolan Simon’s recent solo exhibitions include “The First Machine” with Isabelle Frances McGuire at What Pipeline, Detroit in 2023; “Sons and Daughters and Lovers” at Lars Friedrich, Berlin, in 2022; and “Polyamory” at 47 Canal, New York in 2021. Upcoming exhibitions include “Hoi Köln” organized by Valerie Knoll at the Kölnischer Kunstverein in Cologne, Germany.

Bruno Zhu (b. 1991 in Porto, Portugal) continues his investigation of game play as seen in his series of nesting boxes. Shaped like hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades (the suits of playing cards), these decorative boxes are reminiscent of commercial packaging for jewelry or gifts. They invoke the generous and complicated language of romance and chances taken when playing games of the heart, and the way mass produced objects take on personal meaning when in close proximity to the body.

Bruno Zhu’s recent solo exhibitions include “Everybody is Crazy” at What Pipeline, Detroit in 2023, and “I am not afraid” at Cordova, Barcelona, in 2022. Recent group exhibitions include “Comizi d´Amore” curated by Cathrin Mayer at Georg Kargl Fine Arts, Vienna, in 2023. Upcoming solo exhibitions include Chisenhale Gallery, London and Veronica, Seattle, WA, in 2024.