About
In cooperation with Galeria Szydlowski (Warsaw) and Kai Hilgemann Galerie (Berlin), from June 16 till July 23, 2022 Maksla XO Gallery offers an opportunity to experience the exhibition-performance by Stephen Wilks, a British artist living in Berlin, Germany. The exhibition will feature porcelain sculptures, paintings, drawings and a mechanical, rotating sculpture-donkey carousel, as an allegory of danse macabre, warning the visitors about the secular nature of this earthly life...
This will be a unique opportunity to see this object in person, which exists in only two variations, the first of which, “Donkey Roundabout”, was sold at the Sotheby's in 2010, with the proceeds donated to the Rijksakademie van Beelende Kunsten, to keep it from being closed down.
Despite Stephen Wilks’ interest in the search for the higher truth, each of his works reflects on modern realities, from mundane things to urban structures, the depths of the earth and oceans, climate change, the encounters of a meager individual, or greater politics. He draws inspiration and ideas from long walks through the city or the countryside. According to the artist, elevating everyday phenomena to something unexpected and poetic is the great mission of art.
„Wilks walks the city’s labyrinths to capture fleeting moments. And vests these with poetry and politics, irony and drama” - Raj Kamal Jha.
Stephen Wilks is a keen observer with a good sense of humor and deep knowledge of world cultures. Gifted with a good sense of various materials, the artist plays with their versatile properties and the connotations they create. Any material in his hands turns into art.
Stephen Wilks challenges the viewer to re-evaluate their views on how we think and see, awakening a sense of wonder. The artist is convinced, that everything changes when we change the way we look at things.
Opening hours on 30.06 (RLT) 18-22
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