XENIA HAUSNER: ALL PASSION SPENT

KÖNIG MEXICO CITY is pleased to present ALL PASSION SPENT, Xenia Hausner’s first solo exhibition in the Americas.

October 11 – November 8, 2024

Hausner borrowed the exhibition title from the famous novel of the same name by British author Vita Sackville-West, who led an unconventional life and marriage during the 1930s, living apart from her husband and engaging in relationships with both men and women.

The spirit of freedom and strength of both Sackville-West and her protagonists seems to flow through the works on display, which predominantly feature women. When asked why she mainly paints women, Hausner once explained: "Women are more interesting because they are more contradictory and complex. They have to be more capable, and therefore, they are more expressive."

In the exhibition’s titular piece, we see two women in a close embrace, possibly consoling each other, their bond suggesting deep friendship and trust. As is typical of Hausner’s work, the precise narrative remains ambiguous, leaving viewers space to project their own experiences, dreams, and interpretations onto the scene. For instance, in CODE UNKNOWN, is the woman waiting for a call from a lover, or has she just ended the relationship over the phone? Or is she preparing to dial a number? In NOISE, a sense of fleeting joy and contentment emerges, as the title alludes to the imminent burst of a large pink bubblegum bubble. The bubble is mirrored, yet surpassed in size, by the striking pink rose in the woman’s hair.

The ten works on display offer a glimpse into Hausner’s vibrant world, where women are celebrated in bold colors and lively brushstrokes, hallmarks of her style. Hausner often uses interior settings and collaborates with actresses, photographing them before painting. She describes these figures as “actors playing a role in my story.” In this way, the traditional dynamic between painter and subject becomes a two-way exchange, with both revealing elements of themselves. “Painting is about affection,” says Hausner.