Escapism

Studio17 invites you to this year’s collaborative exhibition with the Art School in Stavanger. We proudly present the exhibition «Escapism» by August Gjevik Hagen!

About
In a world where everyday demands and challenges constantly bring us down, the need to escape reality is something many feel at times. For me, art has always been a form of escape, a way to create an alternative reality through paintings and textiles that are filled with strong colors and textures. My exhibition is made up of clothes I have sewn, together with paintings that draw inspiration from both reality and imagination. While my works may seem playful and inviting, they also carry a deeper undertone that reflects the negative aspects of life. Even in our most imaginative moments, reality doesn’t always manage to let go of us.

Escapism, a term that traditionally carries a negative connotation, refers to the tendency to flee from the challenges presented by historical and social reality. Still, in my view, escapism can be a valuable form of expression, as long as it does not turn into a destructive escape.

Studio17 is continuing the successful collaboration between the Stavanger School of Art, where one of the students graduating from the school is invited to have a solo exhibition at Studio17 during the upcoming autumn. In 2022 Kristine Handegård Viste had her first solo exhibition at Studio17 in the framework of this collaborative project. The selection was then, as it is now, made based on the artistic quality of the work presented at the graduation exhibition of Stavanger School of Art.

This year Curator, writer, editor og Art mediator Marte Danielsen Jølbo chose August Gjevik Hagen from this years graduation exhibition «CRUSH».
Stavanger School of Art is a higher vocational school that provides education in visual arts. For more info, please visit: https://kunstskolen.no.