Karim Ghidinelli “Kingless Crown”
Cheryl Hazan Gallery
This event has ended.
In his third solo exhibition at Cheryl Hazan, Karim Ghidinelli poetically shifts his focus on individual process into a new realm. Mark making, poured enamel paint, stream of consciousness thoughts spiraled in words creating a fingerprint, process, and layers are all still prominent in this new body of mixed media on aluminum paintings. However, there is a refreshed depth that is revealed amidst his familiar vocabulary. Symbols of crowns are interwoven with loose and expressive writing behind dense veils of rich color.
In this new body of work, Ghidinelli reflects on our current state of political affairs and compares them with seemingly corrupt aspects of the art world. The title of the show, “Kingless Crown”, references the role of the political leader in our society and the lack of true leadership and authenticity. Simultaneously, he is critiquing art that revolves around surface, façade, and beauty with no interest in content and intention. In one of the pieces the opening statement reads: “we have been infected with mediocrity”, Ghidinelli is challenging standards and values, as he sees them continuously diminishing into an era where substance is frowned upon and people side with mindless immediate pleasures.
He has a knack for combining the abstract with the tangible and these both connect to different aspects in the viewers’ psyche. The etched aluminum surface is coated with visually malleable, yet bold and strong enamel paint that is poured above. Often on that surface he etches smaller words that form the shape of a finger or thumbprint. This work is beautiful on the surface, but has conceptual and emotional intention that supports it and carries it into a harmonious and complex outcome.
Media
Schedule
from January 29, 2015 to February 28, 2015
Opening Reception on 2015-01-29 from 18:00 to 20:00