Jakob Steen | Scorpio Medicine
Location: Oremandsgaard Estate, Oremandsgaard Alle 2, 4720 Præstø
Private preview: April 6, 2024, 13:00 – 15:00
Opening reception: April 6, 2024, 15:00 – 17:00
Exhibition period: April 6 – May 4, 2024
Opening hours: Saturdays 10:00 – 15:00 or by appointment
Bricks Gallery is pleased to present SCORPIO MEDICINE, a solo exhibition by Jakob Steen at Oremandsgaard Estate.
At first glance, Jakob Steen’s vibrant paintings evoke a sense of familiarity. Whether it’s a specific scene, a subtle facial expression, or an aspect of the artwork’s composition, layer by layer, Steen’s works draw the viewer into memories and emotions, some clearer than others.
Before a red brick façade, a lush green field sprawls, bursting with life. It’s a warm summer afternoon, perhaps in late June, and a group of young children are gathered, with some appearing to display more appropriate manners than others. Dressed in checkered attire of red and white, they gaze toward the viewer, but also likely awaiting a photographer’s cue. This artwork, aptly titled Skool’s In, recalls the collective school portraits of days gone by, evoking the innocence and friendships of childhood. At its core lies an intimate exploration of nostalgia, familial bonds, and the bittersweet interplay between love and loss of the past.
Much like Skool’s In, the remaining artworks in the exhibition weave together fragments of the artist’s personal life, recalling memories that may resonate with the viewer’s own experiences. Whether it be recollections from our schoolyard days, the frightening uncertainty of sports matches, or the tender face of a first crush, each work serves as a contemplative gateway to significant life events.
As a form of emotional release or perhaps a soothing medicine, as suggested by the exhibition’s title, Steen narrates his personal journey through painting. Here, viewers are invited to reexamine crucial moments in both the artist’s narrative and their own, in search of personal and communal understanding.
SCORPIO MEDICINE calls for a sincere exploration of the complexities of the human mind, where Steen’s art serves as a means for introspection and thought. With each brushstroke, the artist links personal stories with encounters that appear common to us, unveiling the depths of human emotion and experience. Through the delicate balance of light and shadow, color, and form, the works in SCORPIO MEDICINE encourage us to delve into our own consciousness.
Jakob Steen (b. 1986) is a Danish artist who lives and works in Præstø (DK). Steen has exhibited both internationally and in Denmark. Recent exhibitions include Scorpio Medicine with Bricks Gallery at Oremandsgaard Gods (Præstø, DK, 2024), Soul Scapes at MeyerRiegger (Berlin, DE, 2023), and Runde 2, a duo show with Jakob Oksbjerg at Gisselfeld Kloster (Haslev, DK, 2022).
About Oremandsgaard Estate
Oremandsgaard Estate provides an intimate and idyllic backdrop for SCORPIO MEDICINE, serving not only as the artist’s home but also as his studio. This special environment enhances the symbiotic relationship between Steen’s life, his artistic practice, and the artworks presented to us.
