The nara roesler gallery in Chelsea is currently presenting Brazilian artist José Patrício’s first solo exhibition in New York.

The show titled “geometry of chance” features a series of large format wall constructions created using small plastic puzzles pieces. These  square pieces are used in hand held slide puzzles.

Patrício uses mathematics to determine the placement of each piece within the composition without preparatory drawings.

I have chosen two works to show you. These particular works are based on a spiral pattern  within the grid formation. Like the slide puzzles that use the same plastic tile like pieces, one space within the grid is left empty.

In this  first example “Expansion and Retraction II” the shades of white, black and grey are the fronts of the puzzles pieces as the are received from the factory. Using mathematics, Patrício spirals the pieces  in increasing and decreasing grey scales to create a series of concentric squares that seem to vibrate into and off of the picture plane.

This next example is from the artist’s Recipientes series. For these works the puzzle pieces are turned over to show a circular indentation in the back. Filling this little reservoir in with enamel paint opens up new possibilities.

“Containers- Progressively Decreasing Accumulation in Blue, orange, and white” 2023

The raised circles offer an interesting textural element as well a sense of a dot matrix. The coloring is done after the pieces are in place and again determined mathematically. 

Close up 

The wall text for this exhibition references Blaise Pascal’s 17th Century principles of the Geometry of Chance. By creating his work by hand while using an algorithm, Patrício has invited an element of chance into his expression of the mathematics.

Susan Happersett