ALEX MARKWITH : DOPAMINE
Opening Reception / Avajaiset
Thursday 30 March 17:00-19:00
on view 30 March - 30 April
Three person exhibition. Also on view works by Emilia Lehikoinen ja Arcaica ry.
Gallery of Vapaakaupunki / Vapaakaupungin Galleria
Kauppakeskus REDI, Kalasatama, Helsinki
(website)
Alex Markwith, The System, 2020
acrylic and found object on canvas, 127x117cm
Alex Markwith, Skull Painting (Blue), 2023
acrylic, spray paint, marker, paper and tape on canvas, 81x100cm
Alex Markwith, Dopamine, 2022
acrylic, spray paint, graphite, marker, tape, paper and wood on canvas
diptych (two panels), total dimensions 140x200cm
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:
Alex Markwith: Dopamine
“Dopamine” is an exhibition of paintings by Alex Markwith. The works merge abstraction and figuration, considering the emotional and intellectual implications of the endless information at our fingertips. Dopamine is the “feel good hormone”. Do we feel good about all of this information? What brings us aesthetic pleasure? Interrelated images are surrealistically juxtaposed; computer icons and error messages, hand-painted renderings of NASA photos, poker chips, skulls. The skulls are the most prominent, recalling war and death while serving as a contemplative reminder of the individual’s ability to conceptualize a bigger picture. There is a brain inside the skull, about which we understand surprisingly little. Each painting is built up in layers of gestural spray paint and acrylic brushwork, often organized by a hand-drawn grid. The grids reflect the inherent geometry of the rectangle, providing rhythm and order to the composition. They also reference digital screens with multiple tabs open, or large pixels, zoomed in so close their singularities become multiplicities.
Though Markwith pulls reference images from Google and creates sketches in Photoshop to plan his work, the final paintings are done entirely by hand with low tech tools. Found materials and objects such as tape, wood or construction supplies may be attached to the surface, referencing the process of repairing or building. In an age of artificial intelligence and increasing dematerialization, imperfections and accidents are part of the painting, as are its texture and physicality.
Alex Markwith (b. 1988, USA) is a visual artist based in Helsinki. Known for his mixed media paintings and sculptures, his works combine abstraction, collage and street art aesthetics with an intuitive and visceral sensibility toward color and material. Previously based in New York City, Markwith has participated in more than fifty exhibitions worldwide, including solo shows in New York, Houston,Paris and Helsinki.
Markwith earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Rhode Island School of Design (Painting, 2011) and completed the school’s European Honors Program in Rome, Italy. He has received grants from the City of Helsinki and the Arts Promotion Center of Finland (Taike). Markwith is a member of Taidemaalariliitto and Helsinki Artists’ Association. His work is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and numerous private collections.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexmarkwith/
Website: https://alexmarkwith.com/
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Emilia Lehikoinen: Romahduksemme
Romahduksemme pureutuu öljyvärimaalausten kautta ihmis- ja eläinmaailman väliseen suhteeseen nykyhetkessä ja tulevaisuudessa. Näyttelyn teosten kautta pyrin ikuistamaan ja säilyttämään elämää nykyisen sukupuuttoaallon keskellä. Samalla käsittelen omaa avuttomuuttani muutosten edessä. Maalaukset ylistävät ympäröivän elämän kauneutta ja konkretisoivat vaikeasti sanoitettavat ajatukset ilmastonmuutoksen myötä kiihtyvän lajikadon ympärillä — yksilön voimattomuus ja väistämättä epäeettisen kulutuksen häpeä.
Näyttelyn teoksissa ihmisen aiheuttama lajikato esiintyy paitsi ympäristön kannalta kohtalokkaana, myös itsetuhoisena. Jos elämä yhä uudelleen ja uudelleen uhrataan talouskasvun nimissä, edessä on väistämättä yhteinen romahduksemme. Antamalla kuvataiteen keinoin tilaa ympäröivän elämän monimuotoisuudelle haluan omalta osaltani edistää tasavertaisempaa suhtautumista myös oman lajimme säilymisen kannalta elintärkeään eläinmaailmaan.
Olen porvoolainen kuvataiteilija, pääsääntöisenä tekniikkanani öljyvärimaalaus. Maalaan alati muuttuvaa elämää ympärilläni ja etsin estetiikkaa karuista todellisuuksista. Töissäni useimmiten lähtökohtana toimiva suoraviivainen realismi värittyy työstäessäni mieleni maisemilla ja tunnetiloilla. Kuvataide on itselleni merkityksellinen keino itsetutkiskeluun ja rentoutumiseen, mutta ennen kaikkea arvostan sen potentiaalia aktivismiin. Tahdon nähdä ja tiedostaa, ja toivon taiteeni auttavan muitakin tekemään samoin.
Verkkosivut: https://emilialehikoinen.weebly.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilialehikoinen.art/
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Arcaica ry: Koyne program - South-North Circuit
South-North Circuit (SNC) is a Koyne program project by Arcaica ry, connecting five artist residencies from Finland, Greenland and Peru to explore diverse geographical surroundings and sustainable materials in creative practices. By creating a platform for the exchange of knowledge, the circuit supports local artistic research, cultural exchange and mutual learning across borders. In 2022 SNC invited six artists to work on the five SNC residencies for a month. The participating artists took a journey to interact with different environments exploring local techniques and materials to reflect on sustainability, technology and the concept of adaptation in nature.
The exhibition showcases the works by Kira Leskinen (FI), Sadet Hirsimäki (FI), Sofia Magdits (DE/PE) and Antonio Paucar (PE) who each stayed at the SNC residencies during September-October 2022.
The SNC project has been supported by Arts Promotion Centre Finland (TAIKE) and The Nordic Culture Fund (NKF). The visit of the Peruvian performance artist Antonio Paucar to Finland has been supported by the Ibero-American Institute of Finland through the TelepART program.
Website: www.koyne.org
Instagram: www.instagram.com/koyne.circuit/
