Jordan Casteel: Winter Sun

Thaddaeus Ropac Paris Marais presents "Winter Sun", an exhibition of new paintings by American artist Jordan Casteel, marking her first exhibition in France. Created during the first half of 2026, the works use a cool, earthy palette informed by the light of winter. The exhibition brings together figurative portraits, landscapes and botanical works, continuing Casteel’s exploration of relationships, place and transition. Casteel’s practice focuses on collective and individual experiences, with an emphasis on community and the people around her. Her subjects are drawn from her surroundings and often include people of colour, reflecting the social landscape of her immediate environment and its artistic history. The portraits on view feature a range of sitters, from family and friends to people encountered in the spaces she inhabits. Casteel also connects painting with everyday acts of care, including mothering and gardening. Several of the flower paintings on view are based on plants from her garden, where she often works en plein air with the canvas on her lap. The flowers and bouquets receive the same attention as the subjects of her portraits and are often closely cropped within the composition.

For Casteel, the garden provides a setting for exploring ideas of decay and renewal. The cooler palette reflects seasonal change, while the flowers suggest persistence and renewal in the face of changing conditions.