First in a series of exhibitions is the show > < by Oliver Rafferty (UK). www.oliverrafferty.com
Why I invited Oliver Rafferty.
Having never seen Oliver's work in real life, it at first felt a bit strange to invite him to create an exhibition in Gradus. I made my decision based on what I have seen on his site and blog, and the texts that have been written about his work, both by himself and others. Recurring subjects in some of those texts are: the concept of reality, the research of the meaning of reality and how and why we give specific meaning to our surroundings.
Oliver Rafferty is a painter, I think. In his blog his sensitive way of viewing the world is evident. He sees up, down, past and in layers, usually ignoring the obvious. In a detail he sees the possibility to connect one thing to the other, in an oversight he recognizes a bundling of idiosyncratic resemblances, or simplicity in composition. It is how the changing patterns of our direct environment of daily objects, images and events - often without too much direct meaning - manifest themselves to us. Therein he shows remarkable interest in texture and materiality. The physical capacity and anomalies in physiological manifestations play a significant role in his work and observations. His work does not seem to know any boundaries, and the appropriating of 'medium-unknown' materials and manipulation of shape and color seem to confirm this. From this subjective world of peculiarities, an utterly serene and clear image arises. Effortlessly he seems to add a work or installation to the same world that has his interest. This time not haphazardly or by accident but concisely reflective and loose. And characteristic for a well-functioning synthesis, full of potential. I find his work extreme. And that, to me, is a good quality.
The goal of Gradus is to intelligently and with 'counter-images' be a counter-weight to the contemporary social and cultural developments. Based on what I have seen and how I have interpreted his work, I am very curious of the work Oliver Rafferty will realize in Gradus.
