LILY KWONG: Solis

Night Gallery is pleased to present Solis, a new body of photographic works by Lily Kwong, on view in the Chapel Viewing Room from November 16 through December 7, 2024. Kwong’s presentation at Night Gallery coincides with a long-term outdoor installation in the courtyard, Subterrestrial.

Kwong’s Solis series of lumen—or solar photogram—prints, are inspired by the artist’s transition into motherhood and her subsequent reflections on renewal. The artist uses a nineteenth-century technique and expired photographic paper to capture native plants that she foraged from her own garden and the Santa Monica mountains. Utilizing salt, gold, and other alchemizing elements, she fixes the images permanently. Solis is a lyrical extension of Kwong’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, recycled materials, and reverence for the natural world.

Through both Solis and Subterrestrial, Kwong demonstrates an indexical approach to Southern California’s plant life. Her process negotiates between chance and control, allowing natural elements such as light, weather, and seasonal change to influence her aesthetics. This collaborative approach imbues her work with the spirit and essence of the region’s unique ecology.