NEW YORK, NY.- Anita Rogers Gallery presents Entanglement, a 2-person exhibition bringing together the work of artists Simon Bertrand and Henry Mandell for the first time. Entanglement may seem at first like the complication of separate paths or ideas. Rather than a complication, the work of both artists express deeply enmeshed patterns which become complementary seen together. Both artists create vivid visual patterns with highly detailed active mark making. There is a deeper theme at play between the artists that involves Entanglement in the scientific sense. The phenomenon of Quantum Entanglement occurs when two particles, such as a pair of photons or electrons remain connected even when separated by vast distances across a galaxy, the actions of one instantly effect the other subverting our concept of reality in time and space. This exhibition brings together two artists in two countries, unknown to one another until introduced by the gallery this year, who came to discover an incredible dialogue between their works. A connection at a distance, working independently in their respective studios in Montreal, Canada and Tacoma, Washington, the works echo one another, thematically, conceptually, and, in some ways, visually.

Conceptually, the artists explore much of the same terrain. Thematically, both artists are interested in astrophysics, metaphysics, history, nature, literature, scientific practices, and the interconnectedness of all things on this planet and in the universe. Process-wise these artists are methodical, rigorous, and detail-obsessed; this yields work that is incredibly dense and complex. Often appearing near-chaotic at first glance, the works gives way to reveal organization and order within carefully planned parameters, often referencing patterns we see in the natural world. The artists are interested in repetition, in ritual, in slowly following the work where it leads them. However, structure does not override sensuality or sensitivity in the work - drawing is at the heart of both artists’ practices. The dense, layered works are markedly handmade – each contains a series of thousands of choices made by the artist. In that way, the past becomes present again when the work is looked at, allowing the viewer to add their own experience on top, another layer to the piece.

Bertrand will show a selection of works on paper from the last few years, including his most recent 2024 series focusing on ancient archaeological sites in Turkey: Gobekli Tepe, Kaharan Tepe and Boncuklu Tarla.

Mandell will show works from various recent series, including his Satoshi’s Garden works, Pollinators, and work related to the landscape of the moon. Predominantly on linen, Mandell presents digital paintings based on language. The artist often takes a poem, a story, words from nature, and by hand, stretches the letters into unrecognizable versions of themselves, building the work itself from the concepts that inspire it.

Bertrand received a Master’s degree in visual and media arts at UQAM University, Montreal. Bertrand has exhibited his works at René Blouin Gallery, Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery, UQO Gallery, B-312 Gallery, Art Gallery of Toronto, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, International Symposium of Contemporary Art of Baie-Saint-Paul among others. His works have been included in many private collections in Quebec and Canada, as well as the Collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec, the Collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Montreal and the TD Bank Collection.

Mandell was born in New York City and received a BFA in Fine Art from Ithaca College. He then studied art at The School of Visual Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York City. His work is held by public and private collections internationally. Museum collections include The Museum Of Fine Arts Boston, The Columbia Museum of Art and Rhode Island School Of Design Museum. Exhibitions have included museums and fine art galleries across the United States.