Anders Scrmn Meisner: Orange Blossom Water (Like Wild Horses)

Danish artist Anders Scrmn Meisner will open his debut solo exhibition in New York at Isabel Sullivan Gallery on October 30th bringing together 14 new paintings inspired by what Meisner calls a “European lust for life.” In a time defined by change and uncertainty Meisner’s devotion to pattern and repetition feels like a gesture of faith of the human desire to find order in a dissonant world. 

The exhibition title draws its name from the orange trees in Seville Spain with their sweet and floral scent known as orange blossom. Having lived in the vibrant city of Seville in his early twenties Meisner would later return there often with his wife Carolina and their two children to escape the Scandinavian winters. The city’s decorative ceramic tiles majestic palm trees and religious iconography along with the light and rhythm of Southern Spain left a permanent impression on the artist.

His nostalgic subjects—vineyards waterlilies romantic bridges wild apples dancing shoes and towering bouquets—recall the idyllic worlds of children’s stories. There is a feeling that nothing bad can happen here. In the rapidly changing world that we live in often overwhelming and harsh Meisner reminds us of a time that was predictable and balanced. His painted world is arranged by order wonder and innocence. Meisner describes his recurring images reminiscent of folk motifs as “wild horses” running through his mind.

The artist’s fascination with the sense of renewal in spring and the fleeting joy of summer runs through the show. His monumental tulip painting Little Spring is both a symbol of spring’s arrival a reward for having gone through another Scandinavian winter and also a nod to the 17th century Dutch tulip bubble the first great economic crash born from speculation in beauty. As Meisner explains "it yields so many parallels to today where we assign extreme value to the weirdest of things." In Last Kiss or Apple Meisner captures the ache of summer’s end—when apples are ripe for picking in Denmark or when a brief love affair ends (in this case a love affair with summer).

Born in Copenhagen in 1981 and entirely self-taught Meisner has exhibited across Europe and the United States. Orange Blossom Water (Like Wild Horses) marks his first solo presentation in New York and will run through November 29 2025. The artist will join us in New York for an opening reception on Thursday October 30 from 6-8pm at 39 Lispenard Street.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Isabel Sullivan Gallery