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"STILL STILL"

A Solo Exhibition by Don Hershman

“Still life was the starting point when I began my career as an artist over 30 years ago. It taught me how to see. With this exhibition, I return to that beginning—only now with a lifetime of reflection behind me.”

— Don Hershman

Collection Mission & Vision

“STILL STILL” is a brand-new, reflective solo exhibition that marks a monumental milestone for acclaimed contemporary artist Don Hershman. Centered around the classic theme of the still life—the original catalyst for Hershman’s artistic journey—the collection bridges past and present by showcasing new minimalist works alongside a curated selection of paintings created over the past 30 years.

It serves as a quiet culmination of a lifelong vision, inviting viewers to witness an artist’s profound transformation across time and medium and revealing the still life not as static but as a dynamic vessel of change and continuity.

Thematic Framework

The exhibition establishes a clear retrospective framework, exploring how an artist’s relationship with a singular subject shifts over three decades of creative practice.

Through the deliberate lens of the still life, Hershman delves deep into overarching existential themes: mortality, the impermanence of beauty, and the quiet, inevitable power of time.

The newer works highlight a definitive stylistic evolution toward minimalism, contrasting sharply yet harmoniously with his historical pieces to map out a clear trajectory of refined artistic expression.

Building directly on the critical success of his 2024 solo show, I AM A BARN, this exhibition, presented at San Francisco’s Wessling Contemporary, represents a deeply personal, celebratory moment for the artist as he reflects on his legacy at age 70.

Narrative, Value & Provenance

This collection offers an extraordinary narrative of continuity. It is a literal physical timeline of an artist’s life, showing how the same creative mind that was “taught how to see” by still lifes 30 years ago handles the same subject today with a lifetime of wisdom and perspective.

Collectors are buying into a rare psychological perspective. Hershman balances dual careers as an accomplished podiatric surgeon and fine art painter. He experiences the exact same sense of “flow” when executing complex surgeries as he does when transforming a canvas, mapping out intricate spatial relationships with anatomical precision and translating them into spaces infused with passion and subtle humor.

Hershman’s market presence has expanded rapidly with an impressive, continuously verified provenance:

Spatial & Emotional Impact

The newer minimalist works introduce a sophisticated, understated graphic energy. A singular focal subject—such as delicate, budding branches rising from a dark, patterned vase—is set against rich, deeply saturated monochromatic color fields.

The curated blend of early, expressive works paired with stark, modern minimalist pieces provides an engaging spatial rhythm that effortlessly guides visitors through a chronological journey of the gallery.

The exhibition casts a serene, contemplative, and deeply meditative atmosphere over an exhibition space. It encourages the viewer to slow down, match the quiet pace of the artwork, and reflect on their own relationship with time, change, and personal evolution.