I LIKE IT. WHAT IS IT?

The renowned art collector, Claus Busch Risvig, transforms albert contemporary into an experimental space that serves as a platform for the future's new and influential voices in the international contemporary art scene. With the group exhibition, I like it. What is it?, Risvig presents a spectacular collection of works created by five international contemporary artists, whom he predicts will become the new all-stars of the art world.

Risvig's long-standing dedication and expertise in trendspotting and the development of art have resulted in a curation that welcomes the viewer to a new chapter in figurative contemporary art. The exhibition is not bound by a specific theme but instead invites the viewer to explore the individual artists' works, all created specifically for the albert contemporary.

I like it. What is it? is the result of Risvig's vision to highlight the diversity within figurative art. The works may appear stylistically incompatible on the surface, but they testify to contemporary art's inclusive and experimental nature. Therefore, the viewer gets a unique opportunity to explore, experience, and understand the development of the contemporary and boundary-breaking art sphere.

THE ARTISTS

Ciro Duclos (NL, b. 1991) breaks the boundaries of our social constructions and explores their influence on our lives and contemporary culture. With a background from The Royal Academy for Visual Arts in The Hague and the establishment of his own artist collective, Indebt Studios, Duclos brings a comprehensive and multifaceted artistic experience to his thriving oeuvre.  

He primarily works with the mediums of sculpture and installation, specializing in transforming everyday objects into the extraordinary while constantly challenging our preconceived notions. With an aesthetic openness and fearless approach to his boundary-pushing practice, the artist can acquire a deeper understanding of their true nature.

Duclos' visual language is shaped by his Dutch and Peruvian background, contributing to his unique idiom and perspective that both confront and revitalize, creating a space for immersive artistic experiences. His ability to transform ordinary objects into sublime beauty challenges established perceptions. Therefore, his practice reframes our understanding of art's transformative power and inspires viewers to reflect on their relationship with societal constructions and their influence on our lives and culture.

Duclos lives and works in Amsterdam and has exhibited in places such as Dazed Art Fair in Seoul (2021); Everyday Gallery in Antwerp (2021); Mondriaan Fund under Art Rotterdam (2020); Art Chapel in Amsterdam (2020); Copenhagen (2020); Museum 't Schip in Amsterdam (2019); Torch Gallery in Amsterdam (2019); Concertgebouw in Amsterdam (2019); MISCHKIN in Amsterdam (2018) and INDEBT STUDIO in Amsterdam (2018).

Daniel Ferstl (AT, b. 1982) uses textile applications on canvas, producing campy and eccentric archetypes that appear as modern subjects. While studying at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, he specialized in painting under the renowned artist Christian Ludwig Attersee.

However, Ferstl does not limit himself to the domain of the medium and breaks its traditional boundaries. Instead, the artist evokes new and eye-catching life onto the surface of the medium, materialized through figurative textile sculptures. When these protagonist figures are detached from the physical support of the paintings, the exhibition space is transformed into a moving and reflective space where the figures passively travel around. Suddenly, the viewer is confronted with the void in subjective experiences, as these fictional individuals sporadically oscillate between an idealized self-representation, a disillusioning reality, and a longing dream world.

Ferstl's art is a testimony to an eclectic fusion of diverse artistic influences. His works encompass elements from the atmospheric film posters of the 70s and 80s, the ever-changing pop culture of the 90s, and the accelerating and plastic nature of our contemporary internet culture. Therefore, his works are a hotchpotch of references to the all-encompassing visual culture of life, while he insists on breaking free from standardized and idealized self-perceptions.

In this way, the viewer is invited to break free from the conservative notion of "good taste" and instead embrace a unique and diverse palette of tastes, no matter how kitschy it may appear.

The artist is based and works in Vienna and has exhibited in various locations, including Kunsthalle Wien in Vienna (2015); New Jörg in Vienna (2015); Ve.Sch in Vienna (2015); Belvedere in Vienna (2016); Belmacz Gallery in London (2017/2019); Foundation in Vienna (2018); Zeller Van Almsick in Vienna (2020); Austrian Cultural Forum in London (2020), and Wonnerth Dejaco in Vienna (2022).

Holly Halkes (UK, b. 1993) explores the performative and liberating space of the carnival sphere. A space where free interaction, barrier-breaking, and eccentric behavior merge in a seductive and complex pictorial symphony.

With a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design and later studies in Fine Art at the City & Guilds of London Art School, she sowed the seeds for her characteristic colorful and playful paintings.

Her works stem from her personal experiences of modern life and explore an alternative social space characterized by freedom and abundance. Within this space, Halkes delves into profound human behavior and social interactions that balance the edge between reality and fiction, all in a humorous manner.

The artist's works have an underlying duality, where the cheerful and playful surface testifies to a joyful and hedonistic world. However, beneath the colorful facade lies vulnerability and anxiety, touching upon internal and external conflicts regarding our self-perception and place in the world.

Therefore, her paintings project a nuanced exploration of the human condition.

Through themes such as the carnival, humor, and introspection, Halkes creates a complex connection between the artwork and the viewer, where the boundaries of reality are tested, and the multifaceted nature of human existence is celebrated. In this way, her works invite contemplation and conversations about the interaction between ourselves and our world.

Halkes is based and works in London and has exhibited at various venues such as Tube Culture Hall in Milan (2023); Better Go South in Stuttgart (2023/2022); London Art Fair (2023); Koppel Project Open Studios in London (2022), and The Room in London (2022).

Jimmy Milani (IT, b. 1995) portrays a captivating and complex conflict between rationality and intuition in his paintings, shaping his artistic practice as a duality. He obtained a master’s degree in visual arts focusing on painting from the Academy of Fine Arts Brera in Milan.

His dualistic practice manifests through the balance between careful planning and structured hypotheses with the urge for change and the unexpected. This tension is clearly reflected in his works, which interweave subjects and narratives on surfaces consisting of sharp curves, angles, and contours without shades. Through the controlled distortion of thoughts, figuration, and reality, Milani creates paintings that challenge traditional perceptions of representation.

His works enable a form of escape from the limitations of the contemporary era and explore the infinite narrative possibilities by integrating influences from mass culture, comics, cartoons, literature, and art history. Signs and allegories are recurring components in his works, bearing witness to his meticulous attention to the design of the image and the creation of new surfaces, subjects, and colors. However, this intention collides with the fleeting nature of the images and ideas, which often evolve during the creative process.

This ambivalence in the depicted scenes is so fascinating about his works. It is an ambivalence that invites the viewer to surrender to the art and immerse themselves in Milani's complex and contrasting universe.

Milani lives and works between San Miniato and Milan and has exhibited in various places, including Studiolo in Milan (2022/2021); Ordet in Milan (2021); Rizzuto Gallery in Palermo (2021); Renata Fabbri in Milan (2021/2020); Palazzo Monti in Brescia (2020); Fondazione Lac o le Mon in San Cesario, Lecce (2019); Angelo della pergola 1 in Milan (2020); Cripta747 in Turin (2020); Cardi Gallery in Milan (2019); Yellow in Varese (2019); Villa Vertua Masolo in Nova Milanese (2019), and Fondazione Pini in Milan (2018).

Laila Tara H (Iranian-British, born 1995) merges Indo-Persian miniature tradition and contemporary aesthetics. She holds a master's degree in miniature painting from The Prince's School of Traditional Arts.

Her artistic language is inspired by her Iranian roots and multicultural experiences, filled with symbolic forms, intricate details, and thought-provoking compositions. By employing meticulous techniques such as cutting, folding, and manipulating paper, she adds a unique depth and dynamism to her art. Through this fusion of traditional materials and methods, the artist's visual language is anchored, transforming the artworks into an essential platform for her critical exploration of societal and political issues and interpersonal dynamics.

Tara H also exclusively works with natural pigments and sustainable materials, reflecting her caring and dedicated approach to her artistic practice. Her practice embodies a close interplay between tradition and innovation, exploring themes such as nature, empty spaces, and her experiences as a female artist.

In doing so, Tara H manages to bridge traditional and contemporary aesthetics, and her works testify to the power of art to challenge societal norms, provoke introspection, and foster cultural dialogue. In this way, the viewer is invited to reflect upon personal narratives, cultural connections, and the enduring relevance of traditional art forms in the modern world.

Tara H resides and works in Tehran and London and has exhibited in various locations, including Purdy Hicks Gallery in London (2022); O Gallery Tehran (2021); V.O. Curations in London (2022/2021); Indigo + Madder in London (2021); Arusha Gallery in London (2021); Numeroventi in Florence (2020); General Practice Gallery in Lincoln (2020); 145a Gallery in London (2020); Mall Galleries in London (2019); and Mile End Pavilion in London (2019).

THE CURATOR

Claus Busch Risvig is a passionate art collector dedicated to supporting and discovering up-and-coming artists. He is driven by his belief that detecting and highlighting their talent takes diligent effort.

His persistent pursuit of new artistic voices leads him to international art fairs, where he actively engages with the online art community and enthusiastically shares interesting finds with his large following on Instagram. Together with his partner, Risvig has built one of Denmark's most significant art collections, primarily focusing on paintings and works on paper by ambitious upcoming artists.

However, Risvig's contributions to the art world extend far beyond his collecting activities. In 2016, he served as a curator at the first edition of CODE—an exclusive international art fair in Scandinavia.

His ambitious and engaging achievements were internationally recognized when he was selected for Apollo Magazine's "40 under 40" list in 2018. This list celebrates the most inspiring young talents in the European art scene.

His prestigious Bech Risvig Collection has also made significant philanthropic contributions to the art community. Through generous donations of artworks, the collection has enriched cultural behemoths such as ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and HEART Herning Museum of Contemporary Art.

This underscores Risvig's commitment to supporting the growth and preservation of contemporary artistic expression.