THE LANGUAGE
Chinatown Soup is pleased to present The language, an exhibition of catharsis, exploration, and acrylic paintings on a wood panel by artist-in-residence Vladan Sibinovic that is showing from October 13 - 25, 2020. Please join us for a reception on Wednesday, October 14 from 6 to 8pm.
And now, a word from the artist:
Metaphorically speaking, it is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. I understand this to mean that they exist as a portal between the space that surrounds us and our rich inwardness. "Eye contact" is the title of the central painting of this exhibition, and it is a link that unites the artworks presented in their mutual search. Together, these paintings explore the nature of human communication as both a verbal and physical language influenced by the unconscious psyche.
The "Flow" series focuses on understanding stuttering in relation to its complexities and adaptive challenges. I deal with this subject outside of my art, attempting to find resolution to the disharmony of speech and the impossibility of controlling expression. My approach lies, perhaps, within insufficiently explored areas of human consciousness, such as one’s relationship to the zeitgeist. Additionally, I am trying to understand how much a person’s behavior is evoked by environmental stimuli or is, rather, a consequence of lived history.
Through the "Helpful things" series, I also examine the communication between inner and outer spaces in terms of how we consider happiness, as well as the misconception that we have to wait for happiness to appear. Happiness is often positioned outside of us or thought of as inhabiting elsewhere. I play with that concept in conversation with the idea that we can find happiness within ourselves.
The power of positive thinking is an overrated salve for healing our own wounds and the traumas of the world. Through paintings, I am able to express what I cannot articulate with words to better understand the components of unconsciousness. I return over and over to the same starting point: it is necessary to descend into our depths. To heal and change, we need to explore and confront, even if the words escape us.
Vladan Sibinovic (1987) was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and received his Master’s Degree in Painting from the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Arts in Belgrade. He was awarded "Valedictorian of the Faculty of Fine Arts Class of 2006.” During his junior year, Vladan completed the Traunkirchen Akademie Summer Fellowship and had the opportunity to work with notable artists such as Arnulf Rainer, Eva and Adele, and Xenia Hausner. After graduating, he has contributed to many projects abroad, notably at Glo’ Art in Belgium and The International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Salzburg, where he was honored by mentor Imran Qureshi.
Vladan has exhibited solo on five occasions and been involved in several group exhibitions across the USA and Europe. Currently, he lives in New York City, where he works as an independent artist and enjoys being an artist-in-residence at Chinatown Soup, a creative community in Lower Manhattan.