Gallery Statement:
Louis “Lu” Rodiger’s solo exhibition Las Paganas opened at Hotwater Gallery in the fall of 2024, presenting a series of photographs that blur the boundary between dream and waking life. Known for his evocative chiaroscuro portraits, Rodiger draws directly from lucid dreams and psychedelic experiences, weaving them into imagery that probes the human psyche and the hidden landscapes of the subconscious. Each work, hand-selected for this presentation, expands on Rodiger’s signature tension between shadow and illumination—where desire and dread intersect in hauntingly beautiful form.
Artist Bio:
Born in San Diego, California, and holding dual citizenship with Mexico, Louis “Lu” Rodiger is a film photographer currently based in Los Angeles. His work is distinguished by its deep engagement with the subconscious—merging lucid dreams, nightmares, and psychedelic visions into portraits that reveal both fragility and intensity. Rodiger’s photography has been exhibited internationally at Taylor & Ponce in New York and Boomer Gallery in London, and has appeared on album covers and posters for musicians, further embedding his imagery into contemporary visual culture.
Rodiger’s practice is anchored in the exploration of human vulnerability and symbolic transformation. A work like Moth Girl captures his poetic lens: “She wakes at night and watches a moth drawn to the light, only to perish in its glow. It reminds her of the dangers of chasing shiny objects—money, fame, and obsession. Our senses can deceive us; just because something feels right doesn’t mean it’s true. Sometimes, we forget that darkness, though daunting, can be a friend. Shiny object syndrome blinds us, but it’s the courage to face the dark that keeps us truly alive.”
