Paintings 2020

Having grown up in a post-Soviet country, Metsis has spent the last ten years in London, the epicentre of late capitalism. Reflecting on the coming together of these two experiences, the artist creates narratives through layers of reality, mirrored in the way Metsis uses paint – each new layer haunted by the former. Looking at the outcomes of two opposing historical narratives, Metsis’ paintings give form to the ghost of communism’s failure that still haunts the West. Based on her own lived experience, Metsis’ work displays an understanding of time in a non-linear way. In her paintings trauma, the ludicrous acceleration of ideologies and the struggle against uncertainty are all tied together by a deep love for art. Metsis’ visual language explores art historical symbols, memories and items alienated by capitalism. Blending into layers of unknown landscapes, depicted objects vary from English Greyhounds to belts found on eBay. Her paintings show a synthesised kind of realness, pointing to the absurdity of progress in the severely escalated moment of 2020.

Mariann Metsis is a painter living and working in London. She studied at Central Saint Martin College of Art & Design, London; The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna; and obtained a BA in Fine Arts from the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London. Her work has been featured in various shows, including just as when the night at Light Eye Mind; Paintings for the Temple of Love at Cob Gallery and Cities Methodologies at Slade Research Centre. Her writing has been published in Manhole Journal.

Maalid 2020 is curated by Niina Ulfsak.

On the opening day, 11 November 2020, visitors are welcome at Hoib gallery from 12 to 7 pm.
The exhibition is on view until 1 January 2021.

Additional information:
Lilian Hiob, founder
Hoib Gallery, Tehnika 15, 10149, Tallinn
Gallery is open by appointment.
+3725272556, lilian.hiob@artun.ee

Thank you: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Keiu Krikmann