Welcome to the second instalment of the exhibition Great Things // Small Doses. In this edition, we’ve once again curated a remarkable group of artists, featuring fresh faces and Bob Geerts, who recently celebrated his inaugural solo exhibition, Afterlife, at COVA Art Gallery. The essence of surprise in this exhibition lies in various elements, spanning themes, techniques, narratives, and imagery.
As the title implies, the focus is on exceptionally high-quality art, although presented in limited quantities – mirroring life itself. Following the success of the inaugural group exhibition in 2022, this show reintroduces the works of international artists to Eindhoven, including Americans, a Finn, an Italian, and a Dutch artist.
The thoughtfully chosen artworks embody a wide spectrum of materials, genres, and themes within which these artists operate, illustrating the versatility of a talented generation. Uncover the nuances that distinguish each piece within its genre or theme. This diverse exhibition offers, akin to life, the most beautiful things in small doses. Enjoy the journey of discovery!
JUSTIN YOON
Justin Yoon, born in 1991 in Los Angeles, California, is an artist based in Brooklyn. His vision is infused with early childhood memories of American junk food, Hollywood films, and jazz music experienced during family car rides. His artworks encapsulate a world of romantic melancholy, synthetic colors, and a sense of loss.
Characters recurrently inhabit a synthetic, dreamy landscape in his paintings, inviting the viewer to partake in an experience that is both universal and personal.
For COVA Art Gallery, Yoon presents two works: "Its Own Magic of Being" and "Chasing Phantom." Yoon explains,
"I wanted to explore more of an idealized idolatry of what could have been for Asian queer representations. A phantom of an image, morphed with my own memories of self intimacy and blurry milestones in my life. I aimed to capture that haunting feeling you get when it becomes winter, where you feel like your past, and your imagined fantasy of nostalgia mixes together, as you yearn for another turn of season, another growth. As I am chasing those phantomous imagery, the phantoms of our past also chase us, both romantically and melancholically.”
IT'S OWN MAGIC OF BEING
62 × 62 cm
Acrylic, acrylic gouache and glitter on canvas
CHASING PHANTOMS
62 × 62 cm
Acrylic, acrylic gouache and glitter on canvas
MICHAEL POLAKOWSKI
Michael Polakowski (1994) utilizes acrylic paint and airbrush techniques to create stylistically abstracted and dreamy landscapes. Based in Detroit, Michigan, he draws strong inspiration from his surroundings. His work has garnered attention from publications such as Juxtapoz, New American Painting, and booooooom. In 2024, Polakowski will participate in an artist residency at the Vermont Studio Center.
For COVA Art Gallery, Polakowski presents the works "Romance is Dead" and "News to Me." Polakowski explains:
"The images in the exhibition are based on snippets of overheard conversations. I appreciate the universal nature of these stories, where a romance implodes or two friends can't find common ground. It seems like we can all recognize ourselves in these paintings, hence my choice to omit the faces of the subjects."
61 × 46 cm
Acrylic on canvas
61 × 46 cm
Acrylic on canvas
ROMANCE IS DEAD
JESSE MORSBERGER
Jesse Morsberger, born in 1994 in Brooklyn, NY, is a talented artist who intricately explores the intersection of digital and physical realities in his sophisticated paintings. Graduating with a BFA in Drawing and Painting from SUNY Purchase in 2016, he has recently showcased his work in solo exhibitions, including ones in London and Beirut.
In Great Things // Small Doses Vol. 2, Morsberger presents two works: "Dali" and "Summoner." Both paintings draw inspiration from the captivating world of Final Fantasy 9, a Japanese role-playing game (JRPG) released by Square in 2000. Morsberger:
“In these works, video game heroes and icons are reimagined within the context of art history. My paintings evolve through various work sessions, spanning weeks and months. Upon completion, the original composition often undergoes a complete transformation. Remnants of earlier work sessions manifest in the painting's texture and glimpses of colour showing through the numerous layers of paint.”
84 x 66 cm
Acrylic on linnen
DALI
102 x 64 cm
Acrylic on linnen SUMMONER
BOB GEERTS
Bob Geerts (1990, Eindhoven), known as Bobeus, is a multifaceted artist passionate about tattooing, illustrating, and art. His career commenced in 2012 at Bunker Tattoo in Breda, shaping his love for robust lines, vivid colors, and compelling compositions. Currently, Geerts co-owns True Blue Tattoo in Eindhoven with his close friend Guus Mandigers.
With an extensive 12-year career, Bob Geerts is not only a seasoned tattoo artist but also a self-taught painter, expanding his skills into fine art. His debut collection, Afterlife, recently unveiled at COVA Art Gallery, pays tribute to tattooing, sharing personal growth, memories, and intimate stories from past years.
For Great Things // Small Doses Vol. 2, Geerts crafted three works: "The Noble Salute," "Mystified," and "Fast Draw." Geerts explains,
"These paintings continue my prior creations, drawing inspiration from historical Western tales where battles for freedom unfolded in the wild west. In the 21st century, our fight for freedom has evolved, shifting from physical battlegrounds to the unseen realms of the digital world."
"We face challenges from surveillance, tracking, and pervasive control infiltrating every aspect of our lives. Our personal liberties are at risk due to omnipresent digitalization and control mechanisms integral to our daily existence. I see these figures as contemporary freedom fighters."
MYSTIFIED
100 x 100 cm
Mixed Media on linnen
100 x 100 cm
Mixed Media on linnen
NOBLE SALUTE
120 x 100 cm
Mixed Media on linnen
FAST DRAW
AUSTYN TAYLOR
Austyn Taylor, born in 1984 in Rochester, NY, USA, obtained her Master's in Fine Arts in Ceramics from Alfred University in 2016. Over the past seven years, Taylor has traversed the globe as a resident artist, working in various studios. Her journey reflects the diversity of her experiences, with a central focus on ceramics.
In the exhibition Great Things // Small Doses Vol. 2, you can discover four sculptures by Taylor: "Equinox," "Cool," "Great," and "Dumbo." Positioned on the border between hype and hope, Taylor states:
"Life is a serious game, a precious journey with no guarantees for tomorrow. My nomadic exploration of diverse cultures led to encounters with countless souls. Shaping vibrant characters that spread joy wherever they go, my artistic contribution is a genuine celebration of life. Delving into the truth that 'we are all animals,' my creations explore the possible horrors and uplifting beauty of that realization.
Each sculpture is a unique creation, meticulously hand-formed with coils and slabs of clay. The surfaces blend modern pigments with classical glazing techniques, seamlessly bridging the gap between tradition and contemporary expression."
28 x 27 x 19 cm
Ceramics
45 x 25 x 20 cm
Ceramics
DUMBO
35 x 25 x 14 cm
Terracotta
23 x 23 x 16,5 cm Ceramics
EQUINOX
FILIPPO CEGANI
Filippo A.L. Cegani (1993) currently lives and works in Milan, after spending ten years in the United Kingdom. He studied at Camberwell U.A.L in London and collaborated with various international galleries. In his most recent work, Cegani remotely observes post-digital Christian religious iconography. For the exhibition Great Things // Small Doses Vol. 2, the Italian artist presents two works: "Patience... I suffer, it is true but I enjoy it immensely" and "Sacred hearts." Cegani explains:
"For me, the reproducibility and immediacy of the religious icon in the digital era serve as a vehicle and metaphor for the loss of the religious figure in our time. It is also a reference to the post-digital Christian aesthetic, where the meme merges with classical iconography to reach a broader audience."
Despite the kitschy tone and powerful highlights almost contrasting with classical iconography, the choice of a glossy and plastic appearance precisely emphasizes the irony underlying Cegani's paintings.
50 x 40 cm
Acrylic on canvas
SACRED HEARTS
PATIENCE... I SUFFER, IT IS TRUE BUT I ENJOY IT IMMENSELY
x 40 cm
50
Acrylic on canvas
EINARI HYVÖNEN
Einari Hyvönen (1989) is based in Helsinki and completed his master's degree at the Academy of Fine Arts, University of the Arts Helsinki, in 2021. His art has been showcased in both solo exhibitions and group shows across Finland and Europe, with pieces featured in collections such as those of the Finnish State, Kiasma, Oulu, and Tampere Art Museums.
Hyvönen specializes in crafting post-digital paintings that seamlessly blend bright, uplifting visuals with profound themes. Using tragicomic humour, he delves into subjects like ending relationships, loss of a loved one, and environmental crises.
Great Things // Small Doses Vol. 2 features three distinctive paintings by Hyvönen: "Separated yet connected," "Unwittingly menace to the society," and "Wittingly menace to the society."
By infusing his art with elements from popular culture, Hyvönen ensures broad accessibility, appealing to diverse audiences. Employing a fusion of nostalgic digital images created through 3D modelling and traditional painting techniques, the Finnish artist establishes a unique and whimsical atmosphere.