An intimate dive into the work of an American artist... Galerie Perrotin presents Lake Margrethe, Koak's first major European exhibition, from August 31 to October 5, 2024. This retrospective, the second solo show with the gallery, explores profound themes such as family relationships and the duality between nature and domestic space, offering an immersive journey through the artist's visual and emotional universe.
Koak, trained in the art of Comics, brings a unique communicative power to her work, where line becomes a language in its own right. This exhibition is distinguished by a subtle autobiographical approach, with works such as the window portraits, representing her grandmother(Nancy in Blue), her mother(Carmine), and herself(Self Portrait from a Green Window). Each piece is an exploration of family ties, approached with a blend of abstraction and realism, a contrast the artist manipulates with undeniable mastery. Koak describes this exhibition as"the most personal I've created in a long time", underlining the intimacy that permeates each work.
The exhibition is structured into four rooms, each representing a central aspect of Koak's artistic practice. The first room introduces the recurring motifs of shells and spirals, symbolizing the connection between the human body and nature. The second room, theexhibition's main space, highlights the notion of the protected place, exploring spaces of transition between inside and outside. A third room, bathed in a blue-grey hue, invites an introspective pause, while the fourth room, dominated by green, addresses the fragile relationship between domestic space and nature.
Behind these enigmatic works, Koak weaves a link between two seemingly unrelated themes: Lake Margrethe, an evocation of childhood memories tinged with ecological awareness, and emerald green pigment, once prized but toxic. The latter, used by great artists such as Cézanne and Van Gogh, embodies for Koak the duality between life and disease. As she says:"My interest lay specifically in the ability of this color to capture both the vitality of life and illness". This dual aspect, both vibrant and disquieting, runs through the entire exhibition, making Lake Margrethe a profound reflection on memory, nature and the ambiguity of spaces in between. Ready for a tour?
Dates and Opening Time
From August 31, 2024 to October 5, 2024
Location
Galerie Perrotin
76 rue de Turenne
75003 Paris 3
Prices
Free
Official website
leaflet.perrotin.com
More information
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm.
