Experience the Heart of a Legend: Tristan Eaton’s ‘Lately’ Debuts at Cass Contemporary

By: Lisa Reynolds | Tristan Eaton’s “Lately”| Image: CASS

Tristan Eaton Shows a More Vulnerable Side at CASS Contemporary

In a striking departure from the monumental murals that have defined his career, Tristan Eaton’s new exhibition Lately at CASS Contemporary in Nashville invites viewers to look closer—not upward. Long celebrated for reshaping urban skylines and collaborating with cultural giants such as MoMA, Kidrobot, Marvel, Nike, and even SpaceX, Eaton now turns his lens inward.

The works in Lately, a series of diptychs on wood and paper, signal a subtle but profound evolution in the artist’s voice. They delve into the emotional dualities of modern life: love and loss, humor and heartbreak, connection and solitude. Still unmistakably Eaton in their visually layered, collage-driven composition, these pieces depart from spectacle to embrace sentiment. Each panel feels like a confession coded in color—a spontaneous conversation between the artist’s past and present selves.

Eaton’s practice has always existed at the crossroads of street art, fine art, and pop culture. His murals stretch across the globe, transforming concrete into canvases that tell collective stories of resilience and beauty. But in Lately, he narrows that global gaze to explore the intimate terrains of memory and meaning. Here, the visual rhythm is quieter, the tone more meditative, yet the energy remains electric.

Tristan Eaton at Cass Contemporary

That this exhibition debuts in Nashville is no coincidence. The city, rapidly expanding its cultural footprint, is embracing contemporary art with newfound fervor. CASS Contemporary’s decision to host Eaton’s latest work underscores Nashville’s growing role as a creative hub and one capable of attracting and contextualizing artists who have shaped global visual culture. From Eaton’s murals that shimmer across Los Angeles and New York to his works that traveled literally into space, his return to earth, so to speak, feels timely.

With Lately, Tristan Eaton reminds audiences that even the boldest voices can whisper. The collection marks a rare moment of artistic introspection from one of today’s most prolific creators and is a reminder that beneath every towering mural or international collaboration lies a deeply human story. For Nashville, and for Eaton himself, Lately is not just an exhibition but an evolution. For more, follow Tristan Eaton on his website.