Will Cotton, Bareback, 2019, Oil on linen, Courtesy Templon, Paris – Brussels and the artist © Adagp, Paris, 2020

Daniel Templon is as dynamic as ever and he was among the first galleries to reopen in Paris and in Brussels braving the absence of ArtBasel and the Venice Biennale, which usually attract world collectors at this time of the year. Two fun artists are showing at the moment, New Yorker Will Cotton who reinterprets the myth of the cowboy with boys riding pink unicorns, in Brussels. In Paris, Japanese performer and sculptor Chiharu Shiota gives us color threads and new bronze sculptures moulded after her hands and feet.

Chiharu Shiota, In the Hand, 2020, bronze and metal wire sculpted after her own hands, Courtesy Templon, Paris – Brussels and the artist © Adagp, Paris, 2020

Born in Japan in 1972, Chiharu Shiota has been living and working in Berlin since 1999. She uses red, white and black threads to form her “Inner universe”, the title of her new exhibition at Templon. Here, they are made of cowhide and goat leather and fill the whole space of the gallery. The bronze sculptures  and different body pieces from members of her family are the new items of the show.

Chiharu Shiota, Out of my body, 2020, 7 pieces of cowhide, leather, goat leather, hanging in the main gallery, Courtesy Templon, Paris – Brussels and the artist © Adagp, Paris, 2020

As the artist explains: “the thread separates us from this physical presence within the object, but at the same time, this structure allows me to create a new space. Piling up layer after layer of cut, tangled and knotted thread creates the entirety of the universe bound to this frame.” If you can’t travel to either city take a look at the films in the Templon viewing room, it’s a wonderful way to visit.

Will Cotton, Untitled, 2018, oil on paper, Courtesy Templon, Paris – Brussels and the artist © Adagp, Paris, 2020

The drawings by Will Cotton are strong and brilliant and I find them very attractive. This series on the cowboy is a nice change from his former candyland sceneries entirely made of pastries.

Templon Brussels, rue Veydt 13 A, until July 31 and Templon Paris, 28 Rue du Grenier Saint Lazare until July 25.