"The Influential Monkey" is artist Kristofer Hultenberg's first exhibition with the gallery. Featuring new paintings by the artist.
For "The Influential Monkey"
Hultenberg has chosen a somewhat alternative way, to put his formally stringent
paintings into perspective. This has been done with the aid of an angry little
monkey he drew last September, which during the working process has been acting
as an embodiment of the ’spirit’ of the exhibited paintings. Hereby Hultenberg
reveals aspects of the artistic process rarely displayed in exhibitions. Mainly
intended as a private note to the artist, the drawing is not physically a part
of the exhibition. However, the title of the show and a short text written by
the artist, ensure that the monkey is at the forefront of audience's
consciousness, ultimately influencing the interpretation of the abstract works.
Although an extension of concrete painting, the works refuse to settle
within this category. The visual language is objective and rational, but the
clarity characteristic of the form is not present within the content. Silence
and intentional confusion prevail. Hultenberg is specifically interested in
situations, which, arises when the most irrational ideas are realized
decisively. By allowing these types of ideas an unreasonably large expressive
emphasis, Hultenberg wants to make evident the staggering number of options the
white surface of a canvas reflects.
