A smiling face is often the mask of a depressed soul, and a colorful outlook can well be the cover up of undercurrents of depression and psychosis. May it sound frightening, yet it is also the inspiration for these magnificent artworks by London-born artist Eddie Peake.
The artist, who describes himself as the ‘producer’ of his “multi-disciplinary work, which includes performance, film, photography, painting, sculpture and installation” has brought along four groups of new work for his first exhibition, “Where You Belong” at White Cube, Hong Kong.
His first series includes abstract, spray-painted canvases which depict frames of emptiness in the middle. The void in the center represents not only “an area of possibility, like an empty cinema screen waiting for the projection to start; a material or existential vacuum”, but also “a proxy for the ultimate infinite void – death.”
His second group of works features a series of vibrantly colored painting with “schematic and cartoon figures”, which represents an “alter ego; a manic, playful anarchic character that stands in as narrator, choreographer and witness” for the artist. The third group is a “wall with smashed aperture frames”, and the last is our favorite, which is a group of “larger than life size gesturing female hands” sculptures. These pieces are given with “extravagant manicures and gaudy jewellery” because they recall the artist’s idolization of his glamorous sisters when he was young. It also comments on the pursuit of identity through visual language.
Where You Belong
25th November 2016- 7th January 2017
White Cube Hong Kong: 50 Connaught Road Central
