Stanislav Zabrodsky

IRL Gallery is proud to present "Ghost Dance," a three-person exhibition marking the New York City debut of artists Eliza Wagener and Stanislav Zabrodsky. This show explores the dance between the permanence and fluidity of identity through time, challenging viewers to contemplate the transient nature of self and the immutable essence of personal and collective history.

Eliza Wagener, (b. 1994 in Hamburg, Germany), presents a body of work that captures the spontaneity and unpredictability of identity formation. Wagener's technique, relying on the flow of high-water-content paint across the canvas, results in abstract fields from which figures and shapes emerge as if by chance. These motifs, devoid of a preconceived narrative, suggest transient visitors within the painting's landscape, linking directly to Wagener's emotional world. Her works serve as a meditation on the ephemeral nature of self, portrayed through ghostly figures and fairytale-like imagery, encapsulating the fleeting moments of identity in flux.

Jen DeLuna, a Filipino and Colombian-American painter, explores the nuanced realms of femininity, intimacy, and vulnerability. Utilizing a collection of found and family photographs as her foundation, DeLuna’s paintings navigate the complex dynamics of her subjects, captured in moments of stillness and motion. Her work highlights the tension inherent in the act of viewing, between the intimate gaze of the artist and the external eye of the audience, reflecting on the oscillation between personal and public spheres.
 

Stanislav Zabrodsky delves into historical narratives through the lens of satire and anthropomorphism, drawing inspiration from Wilhelm von Kaulbach's prints. His work features animals in human roles, engaging in dark, enigmatic scenes that echo the social hierarchies and brutalities of the 16th century. Zabrodsky’s exploration of clay and its transformation under heat as a metaphor for societal change and the passage of time adds a layer of geological and temporal depth to the exhibition. The resultant pieces are a commentary on the accelerated aging of materials and, by extension, the fleetingness of societal constructs.
 

"Ghost Dance" unfolds as an examination of the ways in which time affects our understanding of self and others. By juxtaposing the personal with the historical, the artists offer a nuanced perspective on identity, challenging conventional narratives and inviting viewers into a realm where the past and present coalesce. The artists' works collectively question the permanence of identity by exploring the thematic concerns of temporality, identity, and transformation.