'The Labyrinth of Unknowing' is a collection of new paintings by Adrian Cox Opening reception: Saturday April 27th, 6 - 9pm, 6pm - 9pm. Drinks will be provided by our friends at Better Beer. We're releasing two new limited edition prints by Adrian Cox a few days after his show opens. Join our preview list to be notified when the prints are available online! Prints will also be available at the opening reception for those who attend. This exhibition will run from Apr 28th - May 19th and will coincide with Katie Gamb's 'Misfit Toys', Catriona Secker's 'Artificial Subconscious' and Ginklet's 'Ginklet's World'. Adrian Cox's paintings are interconnected through a mythic narrative set within a realm known as the Borderlands. Over more than a decade, Cox has nurtured this internal landscape, utilising his art to manifest it physically. Each piece serves as an exploration into a domain that straddles the realms of reality and imagination, the tangible and the dream-like. Although the genesis of this imaginal space is within Cox, it has been designed to possess its own autonomy. He extends an invitation to his audience to engage with this landscape as if entering a communal dream. Participation in this environment is seen as a creative endeavour; akin to dreams, the symbols and stories encountered do not adhere to singular interpretations. Every scene depicted is a piece of a continuously growing myth. Yet, without a voice, the narrative constructed from these story fragments remains unique to the viewer. The exhibition is accessible without any additional context; nevertheless, it can also be appreciated as part of the extensive mythology that Cox has cultivated throughout his career. As a narrative artist, he is keenly aware of the dichotomy between understanding and experiencing art. While not considering these approaches mutually exclusive, Cox acknowledges that context modifies the narrative experience. His paintings are crafted with both perspectives in mind. Those desiring to experience the story of The Labyrinth of Unknowing as a unified, dream-like journey may choose to forego further explanation. Conversely, for those interested in the lore underpinning his work, Cox is eager to share insights into the Borderlands and its inhabitants. Central to the mythology are the Border Creatures, entities that embody both the physical and spiritual essence of their environment. Their form merges human characteristics with elements of the Borderlands, reflecting their role as stewards of this wilderness. These entities, encompassing artists, gardeners, poets, scientists, and mystics, dream in unison with the landscape. Opposing them are the Specters, blue spirits led by the Spectral King, whose presence scorches the earth. Viewing anything foreign as either a threat or a utility, their actions set them against the Border Creatures, highlighting a clash between divergent existential philosophies. This conflict gives rise to the Spectral Witnesses, a group once part of the Specters but transformed by a spiritual epiphany. This awakening, while enlightening, dismantles their prior beliefs and identities, setting them on a quest for atonement within the Borderlands. The narrative within The Labyrinth of Unknowing posits that profound truths lie beyond verbal expression. In this tale, the Border Creature known as Maker embarks on a journey into the realm of dreams, seeking a place for internal revelation and healing. Cox's artworks symbolise concepts that transcend rational thought, establishing the Borderlands as an entity separate from his creative intent. He encourages viewers to discover personal significance within this mythic framework. Adrian Cox resides and creates in Los Angeles, California. His art practice revolves around developing a detailed, mythological narrative through his paintings, addressing themes of identity, spirituality, and the interconnection with nature. Drawing from a variety of influences including art history, science fiction, mythological archetypes, and his upbringing in a closeted queer family, Cox's work is a fusion of personal and universal themes. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with honors from the University of Georgia in 2010 and his Master of Fine Arts from Washington University in Saint Louis in 2012. Cox's paintings have been showcased nationally and internationally, including exhibitions at the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum Saint Louis, and the Oceanside Museum of Art. His work has been highlighted by notable publications such as VICE, American Art Collector, Juxtapoz, Beautiful Bizarre, Hi-Fructose, Heavy Metal Magazine, and featured in the book Anatomy Rocks: Flesh and Bones in Contemporary Art.