Nate Lowman 

Aira's Ovenbird, 2024

This new woodcut by Nate Lowman, created on the occasion of the artist’s recent solo exhibition at David Zwirner Los Angeles, is based on imagery in a large-scale painting of the same name, Aira’s Ovenbird (2024).

Aira’s Ovenbird (2024) relates to a series of paintings and works on paper by Lowman inspired by the Argentinian writer César Aira’s short story “The Ovenbird.” In April 2024, Lowman and Aira collaborated on an Argentinian publication of Aira’s short stories, which included the artist’s illustrations. Lowman’s new print depicts an ovenbird, the national bird of Argentina, in its domed nest, which rests between two outstretched tree limbs and playfully evokes an anthropomorphic presence.

A related painting of this image was included in Lowman’s 2024 exhibition at David Zwirner Los Angeles. The motif, and its relationship to literature and mechanical techniques of reproduction more broadly, lends itself conceptually and formally to the format of a print.

This edition was printed by master printer Marina Ancona at 10 Grand Press, Brooklyn, and published by Utopia Editions, David Zwirner's fine art print publisher.