Katrin Fridriks: Stargate

9 Oct-2 Nov 2024

HyperSpace Continuum, 2024

Overview

JD Malat Gallery is thrilled to announce its fourth collaboration with renowned Icelandic abstract artist Katrin Fridriks, celebrating seven years of partnership with the unveiling of her latest exhibition, Stargate. This exhibition will be held during Frieze Art Week 2024, further showcasing Fridriks' continued exploration of natural forces, speed, gravity, and the cosmos. 

Born in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1974, Katrin Fridriks has gained global recognition for her powerful abstract paintings that delve into the interactions between humanity and the forces of nature. Known for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, Fridriks’ innovative techniques translate complex natural phenomena into dynamic visual forms. 

In Stargate, Fridriks draws inspiration from the concept of cosmic portals—drawing from the real-world scientific explorations at CERN and NASA. This series reflects her fascination with the notion of folding space-time and the potential creation of wormholes, like the Einstein-Rosen Bridge, and naturally occurring portals called X-points that NASA has recently discovered around Earth. These X-points, some of which create direct pathways to the Sun and other planets, serve as metaphors for Fridriks' contemplation of time, space, and human connectivity with the cosmos. 

The copper and gold hues in this series evoke the ancient allure of alchemical transformation, while the swirling, metallic forms reference the magnetic frequencies and black hole-like forces that power these cosmic gateways. This dynamic body of work confronts viewers with the idea of Stargates—microscopic black holes that could lead to shortcuts through space and time, echoing mankind's quest to unlock the mysteries of the universe. 

Fridriks’ works are deeply connected to her Icelandic heritage, drawing energy from the country’s awe-inspiring landscapes—volcanic activity, glaciers, and raw natural beauty. Her latest works in this exhibition, however, expand beyond earthly landscapes into the infinite reaches of space, exploring the magnetic forces that bind the universe. The paintings are not just visual experiences but are meant to evoke the physical sensations of gravity, velocity, and space-time manipulation. 

JD Malat Gallery invites you to step through Katrin Fridriks’ artistic Stargates during Frieze Art Week and embark on a journey through space-time, where copper, gold, and the mysteries of the universe converge. 

Artists

Press

Katrin Fridriks: Stargate press release
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