In his debut solo exhibition with Hauser & Wirth, New York-based artist Daniel Turner presents a body of work that reimagines the remnants of the Mandalay Generating Station, a decommissioned power plant in Oxnard, California. This exhibition, held at Hauser & Wirth’s Downtown Los Angeles gallery, reflects Turner’s process of material transformation and site-specific engagement.

Turner’s approach is largely reflective. The exhibition showcases large-scale paintings, intricate sculptures, and an evocative film, all derived from salvaged materials from the defunct power plant. These works embody a deep exploration of materiality and history, transforming industrial remnants into evocative artistic forms.

At the heart of the exhibition are Turner’s paintings, which use copper components from the Oxnard site. Turner mills the copper into fine wool-like fibers, which are then burnished onto canvas. The resulting artworks feature subtle, achromatic veils that capture light and texture in ways that defy traditional painting techniques. This process, both physical and meditative, creates surfaces that resonate with the plant’s industrial past while presenting a fresh, abstract visual language.

Turner’s sculptural work is equally intriguing. One notable piece, “Channel Conduit,” repurposes coiled materials from the plant’s infrastructure. These elements, originally used for seawater induction, are transformed into a sculpture that juxtaposes the elegance of form with the ruggedness of its industrial origins. This piece, like Turner’s other works, invites viewers to reflect on the intersection of technology, temporality, and aesthetics.

The exhibition also features Turner’s latest film, Oxnard Harbor. This film, captured via drone, presents the power plant from a dramatic aerial perspective, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. The film contrasts the monumental scale of the decommissioned facility with its current state of disuse, adding a dynamic layer to the exhibition’s narrative.

Turner’s background as an artist with roots in Virginia’s shipyards and his early exposure to metalworking significantly inform his practice. His works are not just representations but transformations, wherein the industrial materials are recontextualized into new artistic expressions. This process echoes Turner’s broader artistic philosophy of exploring the hidden stories within objects and materials.

The exhibition’s diversity of media—ranging from paintings and sculptures to film—demonstrates Turner’s ability to navigate and merge different artistic forms. Each piece is a testament to his approach of recycling and repurposing industrial remnants, creating a dialogue between the materials’ past functions and their new artistic roles.

As a study in materiality, history, and perception, Turner’s work stands as a visual narrative on memory and metamorphosis.

Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles
901 East 3rd Street
Los Angeles CA 90013
Tue – Sun, 11 am – 6 pm

Through September 25, 2024