Jeremy Olson: this time of monsters

19 Oct-19 Nov 2022

PV 19 Oct 2022, 6-9pm

Overview

“The old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.” – Antonio Gramsci

Jeremy Olson’s latest solo exhibition with Unit London places his familiar cast of otherworldly creatures at the centre of an apocalyptic world. this time of monsters draws its title from Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci’s reflections on interregnum. Interregnum, an ancient Roman term, signifies a period of long transition between historical stages. Olson situates his exhibition in this state of in-betweenness, commenting on our current period of societal, political, economic and environmental uncertainty. Throughout these suggestions of disaster and collapse, however, Olson’s exhibition never extinguishes a sense of hope and humour. Despite appearances, these monsters are depicted as kind and nurturing, confused and introspective and, sometimes, they just want to party.

Olson has been attracted to the concept of monsters since childhood, an interest that stems from his love of cinema. The artist grew up watching scary movies, the 1950s Godzilla films and David Cronenberg’s body horror. As an adult, Olson’s fascination with monsters takes shape in their potential meaning as something metaphorical, socio-political or psychoanalytical. Here, the notion of a monster is an emblem of upheaval and immense change.

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