THE CONTEMPORARY HUMAN CONDITION

JD Malat Gallery is proud to announce our group show of 2020, The Contemporary Human Condition.

Wednesday, 19 February 2020 to Saturday, 28 March 2020

The title of the group show, The Contemporary Human Condition, presents the best of JD Malat Gallery’s international artists who engage with the theme of contemporary life. This exhibition attempts to underline the importance of international dialogue focussing in particular on the artistic response to changing global conditions, political events and the impact of contemporary life on the individual.

In an attempt to tackle this series of complex connections, the exhibition is framed by the question; how does this selection of artists explore and express the many facets of the contemporary human condition? To answer this question, this exhibition responds to themes of conflict and escapism by juxtaposing such politically charged portraits of world leaders by Chinese artist Li Tianbing with the atmospheric and ethereal landscapes of Swiss artist Conrad Jon Godly. The Contemporary Human Condition highlights the range of responses from artists dealing with the complexities of contemporary life.

Li Tianbing and Zümrütoğlu draw upon their personal experiences to reveal the profound impact of global political issues and conflict. Li Tianbing’s work is framed by post- socialist issues in China which have led to a number of protests and ideological confrontations by attempting to capture the transient nature of conflict between contrasting groups in society. Moreover, Turkish artist Zümrütoğlu alerts us to the baseness of the human condition through a powerful and highly expressive display of work.

Similarly, the effects of the relationship between the individual and the urban environment are explored through the work of British realist painter Darren Reid as well as Irish figurative artist Ian Cumberland. Their focus on isolation brings forth an assessment of the psychological state of loneliness; a condition touched upon in the dreamlike paintings of Henrik Uldalen. Together, these artists reveal how this series of figurative work can present a more contemplative look at one’s surroundings.

Ian Cumberland - This place we call home, 2019, oil on linen, 110 x 140cm

Colombian artist Santiago Parra, Icelandic artist Katrin Fridriks and American artist Andy Moses bring explosive and colourful works to the space. Collectively, they provide the viewer with natural and expressive forms, illustrating how art can alleviate the afflictions of contemporary society. As artists who undertake meditative approaches to their medium and subjects, Parra, Fridriks and Moses reveal how art can be a creative and meditative force, both for the viewer and the artist.

By combining each artist’s unique perspective on the contemporary human condition, this exhibition aims to unveil the artists’ mutual ambition to engage with the pressures of contemporary life through the creative process. In so doing, this exhibition hopes to strengthen the dialogue between international artists and make evident the connective and encompassing force of art.

JD Malat Gallery specialises in contemporary art and champions a broad spectrum of emerging and international contemporary artists. The programme consists of an array of exciting artists supported by year-round exhibitions and contemporary art fairs.

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