In the exhibition ‘The Wilderness Blooms On’, artist Marc Raven presents his quest to provide insight into the experience of art. The works displayed in the dome space of the former municipal hospital consist of peculiar, abstract objects. Derived from cross-sections of paintings, the works reveal the sublime character of natural imperfection. Raven wonders ‘how the experience of art is interwoven with the creation of the artworks’.

‘The wilderness continues to bloom’ refers to a poem by Hans Favery. Within the lines of the poem, Raven recognizes the maker’s capacity to let art speak an independent language. Thus, his work consists of actions that almost magically lead to an accumulation of energy. In contrast to the material, the viability of art is determined by its role in relation to time and its sensitivity to daily existence. Raven states that his works come to life in the moments when he experiences both complete harmony and complete disharmony with the world around him. However, the work can only fully come into expression when there is room for reflection; only then can art, in its existence, reveal the nature of the human.

‘De wildernis bloeit door’ attempts to speak the language of art. The dialogue is established through the modest scale of the works and the natural way in which they have found a place in the space. The space of BRADWOLFF PROJECTS offers Raven’s work the opportunity not only to turn the mirror upon itself, but also to represent a deep-seated human need: the attempt to give expression to the intangible in our world.

Marc Raven [1968, Amsterdam] studied at the KABK in The Hague and the AKI in Enschede. Raven has exhibited at, among others, the CBK Amsterdam group exhibition BE CALM curated by Hanne Hagenaars, Art Factory Maastricht, Art Rotterdam, Galerie Phoebus, Rotterdam, and Martin van Zomeren, Amsterdam.

Opening October 5, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

7:00 PM  Marc Raven in conversation with Michiel van Nieuwkerk, photographer and producer