White Lotus 1, 2023
Alex Katz

White Lotus is an original graphic by the American artist Alex Katz. The White Lotus is a social satire conceived as a television series by Mike White. The first season was broadcast very successfully in the USA in July and August 2021. Alex Katz is a big fan of this TV series and was inspired by it to create the new series of original graphics. The people depicted are his neighbors in Maine.

In the sun-soaked paradise of a Hawaiian resort, “White Lotus” unfolds as a riveting exploration of human nature against the backdrop of privilege and luxury. Created by Mike White, this HBO series delves into the lives of guests and staff at an exclusive tropical resort, weaving together a tapestry of drama, humor, and social commentary.

Set within the confines of the luxurious White Lotus resort, the series peels back the layers of its characters, exposing their vulnerabilities, desires, and flaws. From the entitled vacationers seeking escape from their lives to the diligent employees navigating the whims of demanding guests, each character is a complex study in their own right.

At the heart of the narrative are the guests, whose arrival sets the stage for a collision of egos, ambitions, and insecurities. The Mossbacher family, headed by the overbearing Nicole (played by Connie Britton) and her passive-aggressive husband Mark (Steve Zahn), epitomizes privilege and entitlement. Their entitled teenage daughter Olivia (Sydney Sweeney) and socially awkward son Quinn (Fred Hechinger) add layers of tension to their family dynamics.

Opposing them is the enigmatic Tanya McQuoid (Jennifer Coolidge), a grieving widow seeking solace in the wake of her husband’s death. Tanya’s eccentricities and vulnerability make her both endearing and unpredictable, as she navigates the complexities of grief and self-discovery.

Meanwhile, the resort staff, led by the conscientious manager Armond (Murray Bartlett) and the ambitious spa director Belinda (Natasha Rothwell), grapple with their own challenges while striving to maintain the illusion of paradise for their guests. Through their eyes, we witness the invisible labor that upholds the facade of luxury, as well as the power dynamics that shape their interactions with the guests.

As the series unfolds, tensions simmer beneath the surface, threatening to erupt into chaos at any moment. From forbidden romances to simmering resentments, each episode peels back another layer of the characters’ facades, revealing the raw humanity beneath.

“White Lotus” is more than just a gripping drama—it’s a searing critique of privilege, inequality, and the pursuit of happiness in an age of excess. Through its nuanced characters and razor-sharp dialogue, the series challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about society and themselves.

In its exploration of power dynamics, social hierarchies, and the search for meaning in a world defined by wealth and status, “White Lotus” offers a compelling and thought-provoking journey into the heart of paradise—and the darkness that lurks beneath its surface.

Alex Katz is particularly famous for his figurative paintings: The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, he was born in New York in 1927. As a pioneer of Pop Art, he always concentrated on the essentials and explored simplified forms and high-contrast color composition early on. His art is diverse, but always has beauty as its central theme. The artist can now look back on more than 200 solo and around 500 group exhibitions; his diverse works are part of over 100 collections worldwide. Alex Katz lives and works in New York and Maine.

In 2024 we recommend the following Alex Katz exhibitions:

• 2024 ALEX KATZ: PORTRAITS AND LANDSCAPES, Museum Brandhorst, Munich, Germany.
• 2024 Alex Katz: Claire, Grass and Water, Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Venice, Italy.
  April 16, 2024 – September 29, 2024
• 2024 Alex Katz – 60 Years of Printmaking, Thaddaeus Ropac Paris Pantin, France
• 2024 Alex Katz: Seasons, July 4th, 2024 – September 8th, 2024, Museum of Modern Art (Moma), New York, USA