↳ Exhibitions

John Chae and Petra Szilagyi at TAP Art Space

April 7, 2023

Artists: John Chae and Petra Szilagyi

Exhibition title: Energetic Maps

Venue: Tap Art Space, Montreal, Canada

Date: March 18 – April 23, 2023

Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artists and Tap Art Space, Montreal

TAP Gallery is proud to present Energetic Maps by John Chae and Petra Szilagyi

Montreal, Canada – TAP Art Space proudly presents a two-person exhibition titled Energetic Maps, which includes the compelling works of artists John Chae and Petra Szilagyi.

The show runs from March 18th to April 23^rd at the gallery located at 3333 Boul Crémazie Est, Montreal, Quebec H1Z 2H8. Door 201.

In the contemporary context where individuals are consumed with crafting their own stories, we often overlook the importance of listening to our own bodies. John Chae and Petra Szilagyi use striking visual imagery to highlight our bodies as conduits of energy. Their exploration of the mapping of these bodies, and the impact of history, empathy, and psychology, reveals the intricate connections between our thoughts, experiences, and overall existence.

John Chae’s paintings investigate how identity functions in relation to ideology. His mixed media pieces incorporate garments and organic forms to create textured, layered works that evoke natural landscapes and energetic movement. Petra Szilagyi’s works consist of torsos carved out of timber. Through their sculptures, they research the energetic potential development of the internet as a spiritual entity and how it may be influenced by the technologies of nature and folklore.

About the artists:

John Chae received his MFA in Painting and Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2020. He was a 2021 MacDowell Fellow and a resident at Yaddo in 2022. His recent solo exhibitions include “Western Paintings” at D.D.D.D. Gallery and “Shed Your Eyes” at MARCH Gallery (NYC). He lives and works in Richmond Virginia, and is an instructor at Old Dominion University.

Petra Szilagyi graduated with their BA from Williams College and their MFA in Sculpture and Extended Media from Virginia Commonwealth University. Their most recent group exhibitions include Like Magic, Mass MoCA, North Adams, MA, (upcoming) ; Satellite Art Show, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, Miami, FL; Atavistic Espaliare, Below Grand, New York, NY and Augurhyths, Hesse Flatow, New York, NY. They currently teach at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.

John Chae and Petra Szilagyi, Energetic Maps, 2023, exhibition view, Tap Art Space, Montreal

Petra Szilagyi, Topography, 2023, Hickory root, 22 x 19 in

Petra Szilagyi, Energetic Study (girlyness interpretation and experience), 2023, Hickory root and oak, 24 x 20 in

Petra Szilagyi, Topography Study, 2023, Oak, 8 x 6 in

Petra Szilagyi, Energetic Study (joy), 2023, Oak, acrylic paint, 9 x 8 in

Petra Szilagyi, Energetic Study (complex), 2023, Oak, 9 x 8 in

Petra Szilagyi, Subtle Body, 2023, Australian red mallee, 11 x 9 in

Petra Szilagyi, Baby Blue, 2023, Walnut slab, 28 x 19 in

John Chae, E cosi desio me mena (And so desire carries me along) [Front], 2023, Oil on linen, felt marker, embroidery floss, machine embroidery, dyed linens, 64 x 36 in

John Chae, E cosi desio me mena (And so desire carries me along) [back], 2023, Oil on linen, felt marker, embroidery floss, machine embroidery, dyed linens, 64 x 36 in

John Chae, The Tiger’s Refusal [Front], 2023, Assorted military patches (ROK Army, US Army forces from Korean War and Vietnam War), oil on linen, felt marker, embroidery floss, dyed linen, 64 x 36 in

John Chae, The Tiger’s Refusal [back], 2023, Assorted military patches (ROK Army, US Army forces from Korean War and Vietnam War), oil on linen, felt marker, embroidery floss, dyed linen, 64 x 36 in