Universal Baby

The exhibition shows the work by five artists who explore universal values within their work, through the exploration of the recognizable and the everyday.
 
In search for universal feelings of connectedness, Jasper Griepink(Eindhoven, 1988) travels around the world to meet new cultures and communities.  By submerging to the surroundings he tries to bridge the gap between the body and nature, in order to emphasize the purity of both. In his creative process, rituals involving the body, the earth, sexuality, spirituality and philosophy are examined and practiced, which results in an interesting interweaving of elements.
 
The purity of the human being is also questioned by  APT artist Peter Riss (Kaufbeuren, 1962), who researches the dual nature of mankind in his work. In his precise, carefully balanced sculptures he represents this tension between co-existing forces that clash and complement each other at the same time.

 The work of Mathieu Ficheroux (1926 – 2003, Rotterdam) is characterized by a conflict between the smooth and the unruly. Polished geometrical shapes are being interrupted by soft lines and round contours. The sculptures and paintings recall feelings of fascination and alienation.
 
In the installation of Anna Lange(Schaijk, 1969) everyday elements are being combined with objects from a distant past. Through the composition of recognizable components the installation is able to evoke memories of the beholder, but at the same time it is able to revive stories from the artist’s past.
 
The everyday and the recognizable also reoccur in the sculptures by Kim De Ruysscher (Wilrijk, 1973). The precise, costly, and time-consuming process of carving natural stone stands in sharp contrast to the cheap, plastic objects they represent and the way these objects are usually taken for granted. The sculptures appear to be the product of calculated perfection, emphasizing the banality of everyday life.