The Shape of Our Thoughts

11 November - 7 December 2026

JD Malat Gallery is pleased to present The Shape of Our Thoughts, a group exhibition opening on 11 November.

The exhibition features works by Zhang Ji, Lu Xinjian, Gary Lang, Shane Guffogg, Stephan Kaluza, Luis Olaso, Patrice Robert, Andy Moses, Santiago Parra, Ian Davenport, and Anne-Sophie Øgaard.
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Shane Guffogg, At the Still Point of the Turning World - By a Grace of Sense, a White Light, Still and Moving, 2018
Luis Olaso, Composition for a table with a bottle and flowers, 2025, Oil, acrylic, oil bar, and oil pastel on canvas, 59 x 59 in , 150 x 150 cm

The Language of Form

Bringing together these distinguished artists, the exhibition unfolds the multifaceted language of contemporary art through the interplay of abstraction, perception, materiality and form, exploring the complexities of visual expression. Zhang Ji reinterprets architectural and religious motifs through intricate, textured surfaces; Lu Xinjian translates urban landscapes into geometric compositions and visual codes; Gary Lang and Shane Guffogg create compositions through rhythmic arrangements of geometric forms while exploring perception and consciousness through layered translucent colour, expressive gesture, and symbolism. Stephan Kaluza moves between photorealism and abstraction in his depictions of natural landscapes; meanwhile, Olaso develops instinctive and expressive compositions through an interplay of gesture, colour, and form.
ANNE-SOPHIE ØGAARD, White Conjunction 0364 , 2026, Sand, cement, plaster, paint on canvas., 63 x 70 7/8 in, 160 x 180 cm

Beyond the Surface

Alongside them, Santiago Parra and Patrice Robert explore black as a defining element of their artistic language through calligraphic influences, expressive brushstrokes and subtle tonal variations, emphasising the depth and dimensional qualities of monochromatic abstraction; Andy Moses focuses on the physical properties of paint through fluid, atmospheric abstractions; Ian Davenport creates dynamic compositions through meticulously poured lines and vibrant colour sequences; while Anne-Sophie Øgaard blurs the boundaries between painting and sculpture through textured reliefs that investigate light, space, and materiality. Together, the works reflect the artist’s distinct visual languages and evolving approaches to contemporary artistic expression.
Lu Xinjian, The Qasar Al Watan No.2, 2022, Acrylic on canvas, 94 7/8 x 83 1/8 in, 241 x 211 cm

Shaping Perspectives

JD Malat Gallery’s presentation of The Shape of Our Thoughts reflects its engagement with emerging perspectives in contemporary art, embracing diversity, artistic exploration and the evolving lan- guage of contemporary abstraction. Encompassing a diverse range of contemporary artistic expressions, the exhibition moves beyond a singular aesthetic to establish a dialogue between abstraction, materiality and form, highlighting the breadth and possibilities of contemporary art.