Tiia Matikainen (Finnland)

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Tiia Matikainen

A human figure shrouded in a protective web of plants and soil is at the core of Tiia Matikainen’s latest sculptures. Forms of roots and sand dunes sculpt on clay surface assume the form of strange woodland inhabitants. For the artist these sculptures are guardian figures, a protective layer between human and the surrounding world.

The forest and Finnish mythology related to that are important inspirations for the artistic work of Matikainen. One of the most interesting is the idea of being hidden by the forest. Spirits may lure those moving about there, to become lost in an absurd world and vanish from the view of others.

Being hidden by the forest represents not only fear but also security and connection to nature, for the forest and its flora protect us and all life on our planet.
– To be one with the forest so that finally you feel that you have been lost in its depths.
Tiia Matikainen (b. 1975, Kitee, Finland) is a sculptor and ceramics artist. She completed The Master of Arts degree at University of Art and Design Helsinki in 2002, and presently lives and works in Mänttä.

Further information: http://www.tiiamatikainen.com

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Kabinett:

Annamaria Balov nähert sich in ihrer Ausstellung „intmimate spaces“ dem Thema intergenerationelles Trauma an. Inspiriert von der Architektur und Ästhetik der 1970er Jahre in (Süd-)Osteuropa, begann die Künstlerin unterschiedliche Motive – darunter Plattenbauten, zu replizieren, indem sie Holzschnitte anfertigte und diese zum Drucken verwendete. Durch die gewählte Acrylfarbe verhielten sich die Linien unbeständig und der Prozess des Replizierens trat in den Vordergrund. Diese Vorgehensweise spiegelt sich auch in den Malereien der Künstlerin wider: So malte sie Badezimmer und Toiletten aus der Erinnerung an Kindheitstage in Nordmazedonien, dem Heimatland ihrer Familie väterlicherseits.

Die Produktion unbeständiger Replikate, das Malen nach allmählich verblassenden Erinnerungen – mit diesen Methoden ergründet Annamaria Balov die Frage, in welcher Form die Spuren vergangener Generationen sich wandeln, verebben und Menschen in der Gegenwart beeinflussen. In der Ausstellung „intimate spaces“ präsentiert Annamaria Balov verschiedene Holzdrucke, Zeichnungen und Malereien mit experimentellen, grafischen, malerischen und illustrativen Elementen.

Annamaria Balov ist eine Berliner Künstlerin, Zeichnerin und Webdesignerin. Als Tochter des verstorbenen Künstlers und Projektraumleiters Jovan Balov war sie oft an der Projektdurchführung verschiendener Veranstaltungen im Prima Center Berlin beteiligt. 2021 realisierte sie im Prima Center Berlin ihre erste Einzelausstellung “ME”, 2018 beteiligte sie sich an der Gruppenausstellung “Man up – Man Down” zum Thema Männlichkeitsbilder.

English

Annamaria Balov approaches the theme of intergenerational trauma in her exhibition “intmimate spaces”. Inspired by the architecture and aesthetics of 1970s (South) Eastern Europe, the artist began to replicate different motifs – including prefabricated buildings – by making woodcuts and using them for printing. Due to the acrylic paint chosen, the lines behaved unsteadily and the process of replication came to the fore. This approach is also reflected in the artist’s paintings: she painted bathrooms and toilets from memories of childhood days in northern Macedonia, the homeland of her paternal family.

The production of impermanent replicas, painting from gradually fading memories – with these methods Annamaria Balov explores the question of how the traces of past generations change, ebb away and influence people in the present. In the exhibition “intimate spaces” Annamaria Balov presents various wood prints, drawings and paintings with experimental, graphic, painterly and illustrative elements.

Annamaria Balov is a Berlin-based artist, draughtswoman and web designer. As the daughter of the late artist and project space director Jovan Balov, she was often involved in the project implementation of various events at Prima Center Berlin. In 2021 she realised her first solo exhibition “ME” at Prima Center Berlin, in 2018 she participated in the group exhibition “Man up – Man Down” on the topic of images of masculinity.

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