West Chelsea Contemporary in Austin, Texas, is presenting “LUX ÆTERNA,” a joint exhibition featuring more than 40 works by Swiss visual artist Simon Berger and British artist Gary James McQueen. Berger is known for portraits created from hammered laminated safety glass, while McQueen, nephew of the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, works with lenticular prints that shift optically. The show includes two collaborative pieces that combine their respective mediums, exploring themes of classical mythology, perception, and the nature of light.
The exhibition matters because it demonstrates how contemporary artists continue to reinterpret classical archetypes—such as contrapposto nudes and figures from Roman mythology—through innovative materials and techniques. By pairing Berger’s glass works with McQueen’s lenticulars, the show creates a dialogue about perception, reality, and the enduring relevance of ancient forms in today’s art. It also highlights the growing role of Austin’s gallery scene in staging ambitious, conceptually driven exhibitions.