Bricks Gallery is pleased to present Invoke, a solo exhibition by Martha Skou, with an opening reception on Friday, October 11th, from 5 - 8 PM. Displayed in the main gallery, this exhibition features nine textile works of various sizes, each framed in solid oak.
In this new series, Martha Skou explores the concepts of transitions, movement, and balance in relation to the world around us. Central to the exhibition are three recurring forms: the circle, the hourglass—or perhaps the infinity symbol—and the rectangular grid. As visitors experience the exhibition, these forms may reappear, creating a subtle rhythm throughout the gallery.
By examining these forms—both within each individual piece and in how they interact across the series—Skou is concerned with the meanings and connections they evoke. For example, in the piece titled Lucent the circle emerges through the delicate threads as well as through the gradual shift in color from white to yellow. To some, these shapes may suggest calm and harmony, while the gentle color transition can evoke a sense of change or movement, much like the radiant shift from dawn to a sunny afternoon.
Drawing inspiration from universal elements such as the sun, the moon, and the concept of eternity, Martha Skou seeks to depict both the invisible and the visible forces—what some might call something greater than ourselves.
Created through a meticulous and dynamic process of dyeing, de-coloring, burning, and utilizing diverse printing techniques, Skou’s textile works possess a delicate yet resilient nature. Each piece, with its tactile presence and continuous form, quietly invites us to explore its materiality from various angles and to step into a shared space with it. At the same time, the works prompt us to reflect on their meaning in relation to both the world around us and our inner selves.
Text by Amanda Dam
Martha Skou (b. 1982) is a Danish interdisciplinary artist who lives and works in Copenhagen. She holds an MFA in Visual Communication from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, completed in 2014. Among her recent exhibitions are Format 3 at KANAL-Centre Pompidou (Brussels, BE, 2023), Connect Me at Trapholt– museum of modern art, craft and design (Kolding, DK, 2023), and Disharmony of Spheres at Nikolaj Kunsthal (Copenhagen, DK, 2021), all in collaboration with artist Louise Foo. In 2026, Horsens Art Museum will present Martha Skou's first institutional solo exhibition.
