The Danish artist Simon Sebastian (b. 1996) challenges the traditional, convention-bound boundaries within the medium of art in the solo exhibition Carving Lost Triumphs. Monumental plaster sculptures, memorials created from posters found in the urban landscape, and materiality form the foundation for the artist's tactile and site-oriented works. These works manifest as archaeological surfaces that merge contemporary graphic aesthetics with the roots of classical engraving techniques.

In Carving Lost Triumphs Sebastian delves into the untold narratives and somber representations that convey a powerful tale of human perseverance in the relentless pursuit of justice and honor. Through his art, Sebastian visually and conceptually references the grandeur of ancient triumphal arches, once standing as marble trophies and symbols of victory. However, Sebastian's approach goes beyond mere replication; he deconstructs the iconography and transforms these symbols into works of art that pay homage to forgotten triumphs. In doing so, he creates a space where the unspoken and unresolved, the invisible and unrecorded, find a voice. Sebastian's works transcend static art objects; they establish a profound connection with viewers and the spaces they inhabit.

Carving Lost Triumphs not only delves into history, materiality, and site-specificity but also cultivates a relational aesthetic space. This space invites viewers to partake in a diverse and synergistic artistic experience, fostering a deeper understanding of art's intricate relationship with time, space, and the materials it employs.

ABOUT SIMON SEBASTIAN

Simon Sebastian lives and works in Copenhagen. He holds a BFA from the National School of Arts of Paris and the Bergen Academy of Art and Design. His artistic oeuvre is manifested in fragmented and expressive collages as well as sculptures. His work is an in-depth study of materials, colors, shapes, and structures operationalized through an archaeologically research-oriented practice. The creative process also plays a significant role, which Sebastian describes as being just as essential as the artwork itself. Another central aspect of Sebastian's practice is his strong connection to the site-specific. He discovers posters within Copenhagen's urban landscape, repurposes these materials, and, in doing so, engages with and influences the surrounding environment.