Artist: Ivan Galuzin
Exhibition title: Choice of Matter
Venue: Island Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Date: May 20 – July 17, 2017
Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and Island Oslo
island is pleased to present an exhibition of new works by Ivan Galuzin, the artist’s second solo show with Christian Torp. Taking place in a newly renovated space in prinsensgate, Galuzin continues his multidisciplinary practice in a startling dialogue between his peculiar artistic interests, the history of art and the human body.
The fragility of the human body is once again the subject of scrutiny in painting, drawing, sculpture and video. Whereas previously, the artist’s own body has been a central concern, the bodies of significant historical figures are now under investigation.
The contradictions between authenticity and appropriation that characterize the fragile process of history are another of Galuzin’s points-of-interest. Paintings, medals and drawings are redrawn, repainted and recast. By reworking significant motifs and objects from art history and visual culture, the artist questions the outcome of choice.
If history is continuously rewritten—from Thutmose III’s erasure of frescos depicting Hatshepsut, to the retouching of images under Stalin’s regime, and today’s ‘alternative facts’—what does it mean for the discussion between those who believe in happenstance and those who adhere to determinism?
Ivan Galuzin lives and works in Oslo, Norway and Murmansk, Russian Federation. Selected exhibitions include Kristiansand Kunsthall (Upcoming 2017), Stavanger Art Museum (2016), Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art (2015), Galleri Christian Torp (2012), The Armory Show New York (2012), Haugar Vestfold Art Museum (2010), and Moscow Museum of Modern Art (2010). As a curator he toured the exhibition Den røde armés tilbaketrekning / Возвращение Красной Армии / The Withdrawal of the Red Army, in collaboration with Northern Norway Art Museum (2015-2016).
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, Choice of Matter, 2017, installation view, Island Oslo
Ivan Galuzin, To Arcadia or wherever, 2017, Oil on canvas, 186 x 245cm
Ivan Galuzin, Not yet titled, 2012 – 2017, Lead, wax, straw and steel on wooden base with glass, 60cm x 60 cm x 175cm
Ivan Galuzin, Sleeping Martin in history´s bed as a diagram for a millenia, 2017, Dry pastel on paper, 84cm x 67cm x 8cm (w/frame)
Ivan Galuzin, The preacher as seen on a research trip (I), 2015 – 2017, oil on canvas, 57cm x 48cm x 4cm (each)
Ivan Galuzin, The preacher as seen on a research trip (II), 2015 – 2017, oil on canvas, 57cm x 48cm x 4cm (each)
Ivan Galuzin, The preacher as seen on a research trip (III), 2015 – 2017, oil on canvas, 57cm x 48cm x 4cm (each)
Ivan Galuzin, The preacher as seen on a research trip (IV), 2015 – 2017, oil on canvas, 57cm x 48cm x 4cm (each)
Ivan Galuzin, The preacher as seen on a research trip (V), 2015 – 2017, oil on canvas, 57cm x 48cm x 4cm (each)
Ivan Galuzin, Ivan Divan – Memory´s Hologram (I), 2017, Collage on vintage paper, glass, MDF, ash, 161,5cm x 62,5 x 40,5cm
Ivan Galuzin, Ivan Divan – Memory´s Hologram (II), 2017, Collage on vintage paper, glass, MDF, ash, 161,5cm x 62,5 x 40,5cm
Ivan Galuzin, All that she has seen but wanted, 2017, DVD Video, 2:00 min. 4:3, loop
