Flora Botanica

Jean Bosphore / Mevlana Lipp / Mirza Cizmic / Sabrina Piersol

Artemin Select Group Show Vol. 003

Artemin Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of “Flora Botanica,” the group exhibition of four artists Jean Bosphore, Mirza Cizmic, Mevlana Lipp, and Sabrina Piersol, altogether showcasing 11 recent works. The exhibition is on view from August 10 to September 14, 2024.
The paintings of French artist Jean Bosphore (1995-) consistently demonstrate his observations of the male body, but in a restrained manner, for example, by using flowers and a red apple as symbols to convey feelings of admiration without indulgence. Bosphore abandons traditional perspective techniques without compromising the composition of his works. The pieces exhibit elements of reality but are characterized by unconventional spatial arrangements that serve his pursuit of compositional balance. Each element and color in his paintings is meticulously selected and arranged, creating a visually pleasing experience akin to the joy of spring. His use of color, geometric shapes, and clean, sharp lines results in a unique aesthetic. These works might be self-portraits or reflections of his own image, subtly and delicately conveying the artist’s temperament and his utopian vision.
The works of Finnish artist Mirza Cizmic (1985-) whether depicting mischievous children, representing innocent doodles or religious metaphors, are transformed into satirical pieces. His works often feature a multitude of seemingly unrelated yet connected bizarre events occurring simultaneously within a single space. Traditional male roles are infused with feminine qualities, skillfully handled to avoid any perception of irreverence or blasphemy towards religion. One of his pieces, interestingly, lacks floral or plant elements, a choice that may carry deep metaphorical significance. The wallpapers, sofas, carpets, and dresses in the painting are adorned with intricate patterns, reminiscent of the decorative style of the Nabis. Through his playful approach, Cizmic’s art provokes reflection on contemporary social issues while paying homage to art history.
German artist Mevlana Lipp (1989-) often depicts tendrils of grapevines, circular seed pods, or soft sea lilies with a gentle blue-green glow, evoking the bioluminescence of jellyfish drifting in the ocean and the reflections of the starry sky. This choice of colors not only enhances visual beauty but also creates a magical, surreal atmosphere, inviting viewers to transcend time and consciousness. Lipp’s use of luminous colors emphasizes the supernatural elements or depicts a transcendent spiritual experience, allowing viewers to feel a sense of illusion and otherworldliness, immersing them in an infinite extension of time and space.
American artist Sabrina Piersol (1995-) double-majored in classics and fine arts during her university years. She stated that her training in classics has had a crucial impact on her art making, especially through her experience of translating ancient Greek language. This process of transforming a dead language into concrete expression closely relates to visual arts. This training helped her translate her observations, emotions, and thoughts into artwork, making deliberate decisions about visual presentation and audience experience. Known for her meticulously balanced compositions of plants and abstract forms, Piersol creates vibrant, colorful works. Her pieces, bathed in sunlight, present stable and profound scenes that combine the organic natural world with the artist’s imaginative associations, inviting viewers into a space that transcends reality.