Embark on a journey through techno-mythical creatures, pastels, pixels, and hyper-commercialized landscapes in the group exhibition Through The Fence. This captivating exhibition transforms the gallery into a vibrant and atmospheric space where the conceptual and the aesthetic converge through a collection of artworks crafted by five talented international artists. Serving as both curator and contributor, Danish visual artist Luca Bjørnsten adds his own artistic touch to the exhibition.
Through The Fence maps the affective landscape of our contemporary time through abstract and figurative scenes.
An omnipresent sense of powerlessness permeates these landscapes and scenes, creating an existential and aesthetically captivating portrayal throughout the exhibition.
As a generation raised in the late 80s and 90s, the artists artfully articulate the buzzing, tingling, and yearning of the zeitgeist—combining poetic and contrasting elements of helplessness and optimism. The artists ' universes unite harmoniously through diverse mediums, materials, and techniques reminiscent of a well-composed pop song—blending contemporary relevance, nostalgia, and catchy tones.
A common thread among these artists is their graphic expressions, playful use of colors, and compelling portrayal of contemporary phenomena and emotions. Consequently, they embody a broader trend within contemporary art that explores the interplay between the digital and the analog, the natural and the commercial, and the dichotomy of longing and powerlessness.
Therefore, Through The Fence creates a window to alternative realities, representations, and perceptions of contemporary complexities—albeit with a humorous and aesthetically appealing gaze.
ARTISTS
Dana Slijboom (born 1984), a Dutch-Canadian artist, delves into archetypal visual representations and playful graphic elements, all encompassed within a nostalgic pastoral universe reminiscent of Microsoft Paint from the 90s.
In an age where images inundate our visual culture, Slijboom's paintings offer a thought-provoking exploration of the inherent contradictions and complexities embedded within our image-driven society. Slijboom skillfully plays with familiar motifs from domestic landscapes, often presenting them in a stylized and graphic manner. Her creative process always begins with a digital sketch, which is then brought to life on canvas using oil paints. This approach establishes an intriguing bridge between the digital and the analog, emphasized by Slijboom's subtle and nearly invisible brushstrokes.
By blurring the boundaries between reality and abstraction, Slijboom challenges viewers to contemplate the transgressive nature of representation, revealing the ruptures within our image-saturated world. Her deliberate exploration of these concepts prompts us to question how images shape our understanding of the world.
Based in Toronto, Slijboom holds a BFA from Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, including Not Your Garden at Zalucky Contemporary in Toronto, ON (2022); BOOM DOOM ROOM at The Plumb in Toronto, ON (2021); Twenty-Four at Bricks Gallery in Copenhagen, DK (2020); Romance at Erin Stump Projects in Toronto, ON (2019) and Ranch Dressing at Towards in Toronto, ON (2018).
Slijboom's artworks have been featured in various catalogs, such as Caniche Vol. 4 published by Revista Caniche in Mexico City, Nut Volume 2 published by BookArt in Montreal, and Confetti Generation published by Polly's Picture Show in Amsterdam. Additionally, her works are part of several collections, including TD Canada Trust, Scotiabank, Royal Bank of Canada, as well as numerous private collections.
Juan De La Rica (born 1979) is a Spanish visual artist whose distinctive idiom is characterized by flat and vibrant colors, geometric components, and clean lines. In his artistic practice, he delves into various subjects, including costumbrismo, portraiture, and mythological and religious scenes. However, De La Rica infuses these scenes with a touch of irony and humor, inviting viewers into a universe that playfully challenges their perception.
The artist pays homage to the concept of "superficiality," with his works' iconographic expressions reminiscent of the sophisticated and ornate art deco posters of the 1920s. It is the subject matter and its aesthetic potential that captivate De La Rica. As a result, the relationship between the artwork, the artist, and the viewer becomes essential—an interplay that encourages aesthetic sensitivity, openness, and introspection.
Residing and working in Bilbao, De La Rica holds a BFA from the University of the Basque Country in Spain. His work has been featured in notable exhibitions such as Brilliant New Faces at Allouche Gallery in Los Angeles, US (2023); Birds of a Feather at Marian Cramer Projects in Amsterdam, NL (2022); Mine Eyes Dazzle at Sobering Galerie in Paris, FR (2022) and Paper at Beers London in London, UK (2022).
Luca Bjørnsten (b. 1986) is a Danish visual artist who introduces viewers to a pastoral and vibrant pastel universe. This universe challenges traditional landscape paintings by showcasing the hyper-commercialized reality of our time. Bjørnsten combines motifs of well-known corporate giants with white picket fences, polka dots, and flowers. The surface retains an idyllic quality, underscoring Bjørnsten's special affection for the aesthetic value of architectural and sculptural objects. These elements have become integral to our modern landscape. Bjørnsten's artworks are dreamlike, humorous, and yet delicate—prompting us to question when the polished surface will crack and reveal the less pastel-coated realities beneath.
In this manner, Bjørnsten's works unveil the intricacies of our contemporary zeitgeist and cultural context: the fusion of aesthetics and everyday life, art and existence, nature and culture.
The artist's methodical approach contributes to representing these complexities. By intentionally limiting the color palette to, for instance, eight colors, Bjørnsten evokes the restricted color schemes found in the older video game consoles that shaped his upbringing. Temporality dissolves, giving way to an enchanting aesthetic realm. Within this space resides wistful nostalgia and chilling contemplations of the future, all set against a delicate pastel landscape.
Bjørnsten resides and works in Copenhagen and holds a BFA from the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Additionally, he has participated in numerous art fairs, as well as solo and group exhibitions, including Art Central, Hong Kong, JPS Gallery, CN (2023); UVNT Art Fair, Gärna Gallery, ES (2023); MEETING POINT, Gallerie Slika, FR (2023); Days of Our Lives, albert contemporary, Odense, DK (2022); CAT, Specta, Copenhagen, DK (2022); Enter Art Fair, Bricks Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2021); Landscape, Bricks Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2021); Grand, albert contemporary, Odense, DK (2021); Staying Alive, Berntson Bhattacharjee Gallery, Malmö, SE (2021); The Show Must Go On, Bricks Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2020); Plastasia, Bricks Gallery, Copenhagen, DK (2019).
Paul Riedmüller (b. 1989) is an Austrian artist whose works exist at the intersection of the digital and the analog, as well as nature and culture. His artistic style encompasses vibrant colors and tones, shimmering gradients, and bold contrasts, creating an artistic universe where the line between the natural and the digital landscape becomes blurred.
Reproduction and recreation are integral components of Riedmüller's creative process, as he combines familiar visual motifs, symbols, and textures through airbrushed acrylic and smooth oil paint. Layers blend together as he carefully integrates his own imagery with found materials, partially concealing them under dynamic splatters of spray paint or subtle coatings of varnish, resin, and stencils. This meticulous approach allows Riedmüller to craft a pictorially diverse universe, inviting viewers to explore the multitude of media and visual codes within his artworks and contemplate the deeper layers of meaning beneath the surface. The surface itself becomes a canvas where diverse referential elements and contrasting aesthetics converge, generating a surreal synergy that challenges conventional notions of art. Therefore, Riedmüller embodies the boundary-pushing, interdisciplinary nature of contemporary art and its dismantling of traditional artistic practices.
Riedmüller resides and works in Vienna and holds a degree in painting and animation film from the University of Applied Arts Vienna. exhibitions include a solo at KOENIG2 by_robbygreif, Vienna, AT (2023); Tronies, Christine König Galerie, Vienna, AT (2022); Outward Appearance, Boutique Romana, Vienna, AT (2022) and Off Image, Mauve, Vienna, AT (2022).
Troy Emery (born 1981) is an Australian artist who primarily works with textiles in his sculptural practice, exploring the discourse surrounding our relationship with the natural world. Through his figurative forms and motifs, he pushes the boundaries between visual art, museums, natural history, craftsmanship, and domestic spatial dimensions. As a result, his works transcend conventional categorization systems and challenge our perceptions of art.
A central theme in Emery's artistic practice is the personal and collective anxiety surrounding nature, particularly the blurred lines between nature and culture in contemporary society. Animal forms are the protagonist in the artist's colorful and campy universe, representing "the other" – outsiders in the human realm. Emery's works serve not only as decorative and eye-catching sculptures but also as symbols of ecological destruction and alienation. This duality underscores the delicate balance between human existence and our natural environment.
Materiality is also a significant aspect of Emery's extensive exploration, manifesting, and being investigated through mass-produced decorative craft components that adorn the taxidermic animal forms. This approach breaks away from traditional figurative sculpture conventions and instead sheds light on socially relevant issues using contemporary visual language.
Based in Melbourne, Emery has exhibited his works in Australia and internationally since completing his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Sydney. Recent exhibitions include Melbourne Now at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2023); Pride at ANZ Centre Gallery, Melbourne (2023); Inside/Out at Night galleries, Newcastle Art Gallery, Newcastle, UK (2023); What will happen when the sun dies at Stockroom, Kyenton, Australia (2023); It's not just blue at Craft Victoria, Melbourne (2022); QUEER: Stories from the NGV Collection at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2022); NGV's SELECT at Melbourne Design Week, Melbourne Design Fair, Melbourne (2022); Virtue & Virtuosity at Cement Fondu gallery, Sydney (2022); The Victorian Craft Awards at Craft Victoria, Melbourne (2022); Myth making Kate Rohde & Troy Emery at Horsham Regional Art Gallery, Horsham, UK (2022); Figures in the landscape at Hamilton Gallery, Hamilton, NZL (2022) and A grand display at Bundaberg Regional Galleries, Bundaberg, Australia (2022).
Emery's works have gained recognition from both private collectors and public institutions. Notable collections featuring Emery's artworks include the National Gallery of Victoria, Artbank, City of Townsville, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, Deakin University Art Museum, Deloitte Australia, Macquarie University Art Gallery, and Maitland Regional Art Gallery.