Join us for a conversation between artist Jakob Oksbjerg and Bricks founder Morten Halborg-Møller, as part of Oksbjerg's solo show 'Something to Believe,' that will run through February 16, 2024.
MHM: Could you give us a brief introduction to the exhibition?
JO: I am excited to present my new exhibition, 'Something to Believe’. This collection of works is an attempt to embrace both the viewer's and my own need to believe in something - something good, something greater, something that adds meaning to life. I try to express this without pointing to one specific truth but rather inviting a journey through various perspectives.
MHM: What does the title 'Something to Believe' tell us about your works?
JO: I think there is a certain directness to the title 'Something to Believe,’ despite its ambiguity and informality. This duality fascinates me, and I try to capture this balance in my artwork by using a visual language that alternates between being expressive and subtle. I want the symbolic simplicity to give more nuanced interpretations and reveal a deeper meaning.
MHM: Who is the exhibition intended for?
JO: The exhibition is like a 'pick and mix' of meaningful stories, touching on themes like mythic tales of hunting and survival, reincarnation, cosmic harmony, and love between enemies. I want to appeal to a broad audience, and my paintings invite the viewer on a journey of reflection in the hopes that they will find personal resonance and meaning in the pieces.
MHM: Do you have any specific hopes or aspirations for this exhibition?
JO: I feel like there is too much darkness in the world, and I want to encourage the viewers to allow themselves to dream, hope, and aspire to believe in the light. I want to connect people and leave them with a renewed belief in the good and a desire to make a positive contribution to the world. I will consider it my greatest accomplishment.
MHM: You had your first gallery exhibition at Bricks Gallery a few years ago. How has your experience been working to create this second exhibition with us?
JO: This time, the process has been a combination of doubt and expectation. I’ve challenged myself to create work without letting previous successes influence me. I allowed myself to focus on my love for painting and the creative process, existing in a space without fixed rules. It has been a journey of intuitive expression and self-confidence, where I have explored new ideas without being caught in an analytical and premeditated process.
MHM: You are known for having special painting techniques. How do you create your artwork?
JO: My works are a fusion of glue binder and pigments on thin cotton canvas. This allows me to paint through the textile from the back, creating a unique color scheme from the front. I work with the pieces lying on the floor to make the most of the paint's consistency and create a unique color interplay on the side that faces the floor. A particular aspect of my work is that I only apply one coat of paint, so there is rarely any layering. This method requires careful consideration in the choices and blending of both color pigments and binders.
MHM: Where do you find inspiration for your work?
JO: My inspiration often comes from personal experiences, encounters with ancient culture, and nature. Mythical tales that contain stories of survival, handed down through generations, told and retold countless times, shape our culture and understanding of our heritage. This is where my inspiration comes from. The human ability to communicate philosophical ideas and meaningful messages through abstract and colorful stories.
I believe that telling stories is part of our human nature and that it is a survival strategy deeply ingrained in the human experience of life. When I come across stories like these, I am inspired to express the thoughts and feelings they leave me with.
I also like to draw inspiration from many other places; it's not just from mythological stories but also from little things in my daily life, like a play on words, idioms, colloquialisms, and eposes. What really motivates me is the opportunity to tell and recreate stories that the viewer can immerse themselves in.
