Art / art exhibition
Group exhibition sees 16 painters respond to the writing of Karl Ove Knausgård
A new exhibition at The Launderette will show the work of 16 painters, all responding to the writing of Norwegian author, Karl Ove Knausgård.
Curated by painters Cat Knight and Andrew Churchill, the collection will feature their own work alongside contributions from Brendan Lancaster, Tim Millen, Johannah Muriel, David Risley, Kate Sherman, Michael Simpson, Reed Wilson, Louise Bristow, Maria Carvallo, Martyn Cross, Lara Davies, Salvatore Fiorello, Nicky Hodge and Peter Jones.
Knausgård’s 2018 essay Inadvertent sets out to answer the question ‘Why I write’.
is needed now More than ever
Catherine Knight, Pink Grapefruit, from Inadvertent exhibition at The Launderette – photo: courtesy of the artist
“Thoughts are the enemy of the inadvertent”, he writes, “for if one thinks about how something will seem to others, if one thinks about whether something is important or good enough, if one begins to calculate and to pretend, then it is no longer inadvertent and accessible as itself, but only as what we have made it into.
“The thought of what others will think, of whether this is any good or not, all criticism and self- criticism, all reflection and judgment must be put aside for trust to develop. In this sense, writing must be open and innocent. But in order for something within this openness and innocence to emerge and become accessible, there have to be limitations, and this is what we call form.”
Reed Wilson, Strange But True, from Inadvertent exhibition at The Launderette – photo: courtesy of the artist
While making work in dialogue with Knausgård, the contributing artists to the exhibition are examining the creative breakthroughs that can be achieved when successfully managing to “get out of their own way”.
But it is also the “vulnerability and unflinching honesty” apparent in Knausgård’s writing that they cite in terms of inspiration; in particular his talent for weaving together universal themes such as love, death and grief, with everyday domestic concerns.
Inadvertent – artwork: Peter Jones
Inadvertent is at The Launderette on April 26 and from May 1-4 at 11am-4pm (or by appointment).
There will be a private view from 6-9pm on April 25, and a meet the artists / book club chat at 11am-1pm on April 26. Follow @_inadvertent_exhibition for more information.
Main photo: Lara Davies (‘Arran Crossing’)
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
