Anna Bak & Nils Elvebakk Skalegård
Epigon
March 31 – May 7
Opening Thursday March 31, 6-8pm
/ˈɛpɪɡəʊn/ a less distinguished follower or imitator of someone, especially an artist or philosopher.
The exhibition Epigon is the result of an experimental collaboration project between artists Nils Elvebakk Skalegård (NO) and Anna Bak (DK). During a two month joint residency in a studio at Statens Værksteder I Copenhagen, both artists worked separately, yet under a common dogma.
During the initial month of the residency, both artists produced works within their individual practice, working freely in terms of medium, form and theme. In the following month the artists allowed themselves to be inspired by the other’s works and recreated them from the same material, medium or dimensions, while maintaining their own artistic identity.
The experiment is an inquiry into formal similarities and differences, where the composition of the works and their common aesthetic ground are obvious, while their individual expressions set them apart.
In a world with such focus on individualism, this is a collaboration project where copy and original, traditional and authentic, is intertwined within the same exhibition.
Reflections and self-references have been constant topics of conversation between the artists. Reflections emerge from within and in between the art works, as well as the surrounding space.
The exhibition is on view at RAM galleri from March 31 to May 7 of 2022, and will be shown at Marie Kierkegaard Gallery in Copenhagen from June 3 to July 2. A catalogue specially made for the ehibition is available for purchase.
Anna Bak (b. 1985, Denmark) graduated MFA from The Funen Arts Academy in Denmark with a Fulbright exchange year at Montana State University in Bozeman, USA. In 2014 she was granted a residency at Jan Van Eyck Academie, in Maastricht, Netherlands. In Denmark she has exhibited at art institutions like GL STRAND in Copenhagen, Kunsthal NORD in Aalborg, and Overgaden – institute for contemporary art in Copenhagen. Internationally she has exhibited at Museum Het Valkhof in Nijmegen, Studio 47 in Amsterdam, and Glucksman Gallery in Cork, Ireland.
Nils Elvebakk Skalegård (b. 1983, Romsa/Tromsø) graduated MFA from Konsthögskolan Valand, Gothemburg, in 2013. Previously he graduated BFA from Bergen Academy of Art and Design in 2010. Recent exhibitions include SIRIN Gallery, Copenhagen, Elephant Kunsthall, Lillehammer, Galleri 54, Gothemburg, and Galleri CC, Malmö.