Hells Bales Exhibition At Peluche, LA
Compressed Newsprint Artwork 'Hells Bales' Debuts at Peluche in Los Angeles Through May 26
Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.
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In a striking celebration of contemporary art, Thomas McDonell’s latest work, “Hells Bales (Peluche), 2025,” has taken center stage at Peluche in Los Angeles. The piece, a large-scale installation created from compressed newsprint and executed in petroleum ink, measures approximately 34 x 50 x 93 inches. Displayed as part of the Artist’s series entitled Interior Whites Hells Bales, the exhibition runs through May 26, offering art lovers a rare chance to experience a blend of innovation and tactile storytelling.
Exhibition Overview
The exhibition is a bold exploration of materiality and process. McDonell has reimagined everyday newsprint into a substantial, almost monumental form by compressing it and then applying petroleum ink to achieve a rich texture and vibrant contrast. This method not only transforms a familiar medium into art but also invokes questions about the permanence of media in a world increasingly inundated with digital noise. Visitors at Peluche are invited to navigate the layered physicality of the work, absorbing both the scale and the intricate detail that the artist meticulously crafted.
Display Details & Venue Ambiance
Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, Peluche offers a setting that perfectly complements the large dimensions of McDonell’s work. The installation, part of the Interior Whites series, is arranged in a spacious, minimalist venue that amplifies the textural qualities of the piece. With the light filtering through open spaces and the neutral palette of the venue, every nuance of the compressed newsprint and petroleum ink is highlighted. The overall ambiance encourages viewers to reflect on the evolution of print media and its transformation in contemporary art.
The exhibition’s careful curation invites the audience to appreciate the work in a setting where the interplay between natural light and the stark materiality of the artwork creates an immersive experience. The display is not only a visual feast but also a tactile exploration that brings new dimensions to the understanding of media and material in current artistic practice.
Artist Background & Creative Vision
Thomas McDonell, widely recognized through his work and social media presence under the handle @thomas.pics, has built a reputation for merging traditional techniques with modern sensibilities. His innovative approach—evident in previous works which include pencil and ink on card stock as well as experiments with alkyd enamel on linen—reflects a constant drive to challenge conventional mediums. McDonell’s career, as detailed in public records and art reviews, reveals his penchant for reinventing everyday materials, a practice that finds full expression in “Hells Bales.”
His artistic journey has been characterized by experiments that blur the lines between fine art and applied design. With a focus on texture, scale, and the transformation of mundane materials into striking statements, McDonell’s works have garnered attention both locally and online. The use of compressed newsprint in “Hells Bales” is particularly notable as it echoes his enduring fascination with media as a repository of history—a material that carries the weight of collective knowledge while being repurposed into something entirely new.
Bridging Traditional And Modern
In today’s art scene, the fusion of traditional techniques with new media is an approach that resonates deeply with audiences. McDonell’s “Hells Bales” exemplifies this trend. While his earlier works have showcased the delicate precision of pencil on card stock and the lush vibrancy of alkyd enamel on linen, this latest installation pushes the boundaries by incorporating industrial processes like compression of newsprint. The petroleum ink adds a layer of gloss and depth, contrasting with the raw texture of the newsprint and imbuing the piece with a modern edge.
Critics and art enthusiasts have praised this method as a daring recontextualization of materials that are often associated with fleeting news and disposability. Instead, McDonell’s vision gives them a lasting form, provoking dialogue about the transformation of contemporary culture through art. The work stands as a testament to the artist’s ability to meld technique, scale, and substance, inviting viewers to reconsider the role of everyday objects in the art world.
A Closer Look At The Work
During guided tours and open studio events held at Peluche, visitors have the opportunity to hear McDonell’s own insights on “Hells Bales.” He explains that the compression process symbolically mirrors the way modern society compresses vast amounts of information into digestible formats. The work, with its imposing dimensions, acts as a physical manifestation of the overload of narrative and news that defines our era. This conceptual layer of the piece has resonated with critics, who note that McDonell’s art is not just a display but a conversation starter about media, memory, and modernity.
The installation is also backed by related posts and discussions on social media platforms, where earlier works by McDonell have highlighted his continued exploration of materials. Posts featuring his pencil and ink and other enamel works provide additional context, revealing an artist constantly evolving while remaining true to his core techniques. These past references underscore the continuity in his approach and the bold step taken with his latest creation.
Visitors to Peluche are encouraged to engage actively with the artwork, reflecting on how everyday materials inform our digital age and the ways in which art can redefine our perceptions of familiarity. The exhibition not only celebrates artistic innovation but also transforms the viewing space into a dynamic forum for cultural dialogue.
The installation is a must-see for art aficionados and collectors alike in Los Angeles, offering a fresh perspective on how art can emerge from the most unexpected sources. With “Hells Bales,” Thomas McDonell invites viewers on an immersive journey that challenges both tradition and the contemporary norms of media representation.
Ultimately, the exhibition stands as a powerful reminder that art is an evolving dialogue—one that continuously reinterprets the old to forge new meanings in our collective cultural landscape.
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