COPENHAGEN DREAMING #1: Jesper Skov Madsen + Johanne Rude Lindegaard
Press Release
Copenhagen Dreaming #1 presents a two-person exhibition with works by Johanne Rude Lindegaard and Jesper Skov Madsen, both promising young Danish artists from the Copenhagen art scene. Their works address concepts relating to control and coincidentally, absorbed in ideas about materiality and expression.
Johanne Rude Lindegaard works with abstract paintings that are highly influenced by their physical materiality where illusion meets the concrete matter. In her paintings she works with a wide range of techniques and materials in a method that oscillates between structure and chance. She often changes her technique, scale, speed and materials in order to challenge her own direct control over the image in the making - thereby revealing a new perspective from what was initially intended. Perception, geometry, composition and a focus on the overlooked, forgotten, hidden or unnoticeable are key to her thinking process.
Johanne Rude Lindegaard (b.1987) graduated from Funen Art Academy, Denmark, and Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Expanded Pictorial Space by Professor Daniel Richter). She received the 15. Juni Fonden's Honorary Prize for her graduation works exhibited at Brandts Museum, Odense, Denmark, in 2017 (DK). She has recently been at the Danish Institute in Rome to examine the baroque expression and facets.
Jesper Skov Madsen is working in the field of experimental painting with a strong focus on materiality. His works in Copenhagen Dreaming #1 follow two tracks. In the copper based surfaces he is working with acid, hammer and other tools. The other part of the show consist s of works created by 'painting' with fire on flame resistant cloth used for firefighters uniforms achieving a photo-like feeling of fire. Here, unlike the classic painter, he is more focused on subtracting from, than adding to, the canvas.
Art historian Henriette Noermark writes about Jesper Skov Madsens works:
“The dynamics between meticulous control and a liberating relinquishing of the same is present throughout Jesper Skov Madsen's work. He is drawn to the mirroring, light- and space-generating effects of the metals and his favorite materials count copper, aluminum, brass and silver alloys, linen and cotton canvas. In the process, the fine, glossy materials are exposed to a plethora of metalworking tools and techniques, from a simple hammer or angle grinder to drilling machines, bolt saws, steel brushes, power sanders, fire, welding and ignition fluid, flame retardant liquid, crucible, oxygen, or chemicals that transform static expression and promote a patina effect.”
Jesper Skov Madsen (b.1982) graduated from The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen 2017. He's been contributing to shows at The Willumsen Museum, Denmark with artists like Jeff Koons and Olafur Eliasson. Parallel to the Copenhagen Dreaming show in NYC Madsen is part of the show Entropi at Tableau in Copenhagen. Together with Nicola Samori, Tony Matelli, Gavin Turk and more.