Experience a journey into Renk’s evolving exploration of light, shadow, and atmosphere at 60 White

New York, NY – Lio Malca and Doriano Navarra proudly present The Night, a solo exhibition featuring the works of contemporary artist Renk. Marking his first solo show in New York City, the exhibition opens on Thursday, May 8th at 60 White in Tribeca. This highly anticipated exhibition unveils a dynamic collection of new and recent works that unfold as a poetic meditation on the transition from day to night.

Born in Rennes, France, Renk (b. 1987) began his artistic journey in graffiti before transitioning to canvas in 2011. Renk’s atmospheric colorscapes, built up through successive layers of spray-painted tag, draw parallels to the bold color field paintings of mid-20th century abstract painting, creating a striking fusion of street art and fine art traditions.

Influenced by his early street art experiences and the atmospheric qualities of abstract expressionism from the 1940s and 1950s, Renk’s work captures the fleeting beauty of sky and light to create large-scale canvases that invite the viewer into a space of contemplation and emotional response. Inspired by leaders of the movement like Mark Rothko, Pierre Soulages, and Cy Twombly, Renk aspires to refine one single aesthetic for the rest of his life, keeping his tag at the center of his creations. “I don’t paint what I see, but what I feel. I add touches of color where I see them. It’s all about spontaneity.”  

The Night, a mesmerizing collection of large-scale paintings ranging up to 300 x 200 cm (118 x 78 inches), explores Renk’s obsession with the motif of the sky — an obsession he attributes to a transformative visit to Ras Sheitan in Egypt’s Sinai Desert. “I stayed there during the months of August and September. There were shooting stars every night, an enchanting rocky landscape, and crystal-clear waters,” says Renk. “That was a transcendent experience for me. When I returned, I started painting the sky, and I never let go of that obsession.”

Renk’s travels have continued to shape his artistic vision. He has visited Tulum twice, where he was deeply moved by the closeness to the stars and the breathtaking landscapes. The unique atmosphere of Tulum further reinforced his fascination with celestial elements, which continues to inform his evolving work.

Renk continues his practice of layering color in varying sizes and shades, creating ethereal compositions where form and meaning dissolve into pure movement. The ample canvases, many on natural linen, maintain an organic, raw quality that enhances the sensation of vast openness, while Renk’s signature gesture—his iconic tag—becomes almost imperceptible, merging with the misty expanses of his painted atmospheres. The works hover between figuration and abstraction, inviting introspection and an emotional response to the interplay of color and texture.

His use of spray paint—a nod to his graffiti roots—merges seamlessly with a refined, painterly approach, resulting in ambient works that hover between abstraction and realism. As they move through the space, viewers will be enveloped in a world of deep blues, muted grays, and luminous highlights that evoke the quiet solitude and infinite depth of the nocturnal sky. 

Lio Malca, the visionary collector behind 60 White, shares his enthusiasm for the exhibition: "Renk’s ability to transform the essence of graffiti from the streets of cities like Paris and New York, into immersive and dreamlike landscapes offers viewers an experience that is personal, universal, timeless and extraordinary." Doriano Navarra of Galerie Enrico Navarra adds: "Renk's work carries the energy of the streets yet speaks the language of fine art. This exhibition is a testament to his evolving mastery and his unique ability to redefine the boundaries of contemporary painting." Through this collaboration, The Night highlights Renk’s unique ability to bridge the worlds of street art and fine art, redefining the boundaries of contemporary painting.