A few years ago, in 2018, I became interested in the artistic representation of flora and plant ornamentation. During my research to analyse plants, which are components that appear repeatedly in different periods of art history but convey very different meanings, I first studied still life compositions and then garden depictions. Later, I became familiar with textiles and tapestries that are themselves intended to depict the plant world and gardens and are closely related in meaning to depictions of Paradise.
My series of oil paintings entitled Urban Paradise is based on a reinterpretation of depictions of the Garden of Eden found in various religions and cultures. This sacred place, like the visual arts themselves, represents a point of contact, as religions preaching different doctrines describe Paradise in similar terms, imagining it almost identically, most often identifying it with a lush garden. Perhaps it is human nature, or the result of evolution, that we cling to lush, safety-promising plant communities, which we idealize and recreate, in some cases in the form of a painting. Presenting this process through painting offers an opportunity to showcase contemporary plant ornamentation, but also to express personal convictions and different points of view: what does Paradise mean here and now?
Opening
- 6:00 pm
- The Space
The exhibition will be opened by Kata Koleszár, exhibiting artist and Linda Bérczi, gallerist.
Artist talk
- 6:00 pm
- The Space
Kata Koleszár (1988) focuses on the question: “What does Paradise mean here and now?” Adrienn Csepelyi, Junior Prima Award-winning journalist, writer, and host of the Popfilter podcast, talks to her at The Space about her work to date and her plans for the future in connection with her exhibition Urban Paradise.
Garden of Eden workshop with Eszter Kass and Kata Koleszár
- 4:00 pm
- The Space
The main visual element and inspiration for our work will be vegetation. We will also explore the perspective of leaves with varied shapes and patterns, winding vines, and houseplants in Kata's works. We will learn about the relevant chapter in color theory. Our technique will be tempera and acrylic painting.
“I've been lying my whole life” – Exhibition recommendations for mid-summer
