"Tensions"

Exhibition Text:
Tensions brings together four artists whose works engage with the complexities of the body, space, and perception. Each artist explores how internal and external forces create friction, whether through the physicality of materials, the critique of societal norms, or the intersection of cultures. The resulting works provoke a dialogue on the struggles and contradictions that shape our individual and collective identities.

Maria Abaddon (Peru) uses textiles and sculpture to explore the complexities of femininity and the social expectations placed on women. Her tactile, visceral sculptures push against the constraints of traditional representations of the female body. Abaddon’s work addresses themes such as motherhood, gender roles, and misogyny, combining sharp social critique with elements of irony. The materials she employs—rich textures and bold colors—create a powerful commentary on the strength and resilience of women, while challenging the stigma surrounding womanhood and femininity.

Pablo Merchante (Spain) works in a space between abstraction and figuration, exploring the tension between natural and artificial worlds. His recent work, influenced by the pandemic, reflects a growing fascination with plants and the human connection to nature. By combining organic forms with industrial materials like plastic and wood, Merchante creates hybrid landscapes that blur the lines between nature and human-made structures. His work invites reflection on the ongoing tension between environmental preservation and industrial progress.

Joke Hansen (Belgium) pushes the boundaries of painting by creating irregularly shaped canvases that engage in a dynamic relationship with the space around them. The tension between form and gesture is central to her practice, as she explores how the shape of the canvas influences the movement of the brushstroke and vice versa. Hansen's work evokes a sense of discomfort and harmony, challenging the viewer to reconsider their relationship with traditional notions of painting.

Andrea Marco Corvino (Italy) investigates the tensions between cultural identities, memory, and space in his immersive installations. Drawing on his experiences in both Europe and Africa, Corvino creates interactive works that invite viewers to engage physically and mentally with the art. Using materials such as ceramics, textiles, and neon, he explores multiculturalism and the idea of hospitality, creating a welcoming yet thought-provoking environment for the viewer to reflect on the complexities of belonging.

Tensions is an exhibition that examines the ways in which opposing forces—whether physical, cultural, or social—shape the world around us. Through their diverse practices, these four artists offer unique insights into the conflicts and connections that define our shared human experience.

Joke

Hansen

Verduyn Gallery