A groundbreaking exhibition opening at L'Appartement in Geneva brings together diverse artistic voices in an unprecedented dialogue between Western abstract art and Australian Aboriginal painting. "Great Affinities," running from January 28 to April 17, 2025, presents a carefully curated selection of works that transcend cultural and geographical boundaries, revealing surprising connections in artistic expression.
Curator Thea Montauti d'Harcourt Lyginos has orchestrated a compelling conversation between renowned international artists such as Sol LeWitt, Howardena Pindell, and Marina Adams, alongside distinguished Australian Aboriginal artists including Emily Kame Kngwarreye and Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. This unique juxtaposition illuminates how artists from vastly different backgrounds explore similar themes of materiality, perception, and gesture in their work.
At the heart of the exhibition is a powerful dialogue between Howardena Pindell's iconic 1971 spray dot paintings and works by Emily Kame Kngwarreye, one of Australia's most significant Aboriginal artists. Pindell's expansive canvases, created in New York during the early 1970s, reflect her deep exploration of color and its cultural significance. In parallel, Kngwarreye's paintings, begun when she was in her seventies, emerge from her Anmatyerre spirituality and connection to the land, challenging traditional expectations of Aboriginal art through her innovative approach to color-based abstraction.
HOWARDENA PINDELL, Untitled, 1971, Acrylic on canvas, 210.2 x 213.4 cm, Courtesy of Private Collection
EMILY KAME KNGWARREYE, Oorootena (Wild Fruits), 1991, Synthetic polymer paint on linen, 91 x 121 cm
Courtesy of l’Appartement and Kate Owen Gallery
MIRDIDINGKINGATHI JUWARNDA SALLY GABORI, Big Crocodile at McKenzie River, 2006, Synthetic polimer paint on linen, 210.6 x 90.93 cm, Courtesy of l’Appartement and Salon 94
The exhibition reveals fascinating artistic connections, such as Sol LeWitt's profound appreciation for Kngwarreye's work after encountering it at the 1997 Venice Biennale. This influence is evident in his 2003 Brushstroke series, demonstrating how artistic inspiration can flow across cultural boundaries.
Another highlight is the work of Sally Gabori, who, like Kngwarreye, began painting in her eighties. Her vibrant abstract paintings, while appearing purely abstract, carry deep emotional resonance in their celebration of family and homeland. When viewed alongside Marina Adams' contemporary explorations of color and form, Gabori's work reveals a striking pictorial modernity while remaining deeply rooted in her cultural heritage.
The exhibition is housed in L'Appartement, an innovative gallery space located in a historic Geneva building. This hybrid venue combines traditional exhibition functions with a commitment to artistic collaboration, offering a unique environment for experiencing art. The intimate setting provides visitors with an opportunity to engage deeply with these works, understanding how different artistic traditions can speak a universal language of emotion and beauty.
"Great Affinities"
Dates: January 28 - April 17, 2025
Venue: L'Appartement
Address: 5 rue Pierre Fatio, 1204 Geneva, Switzerland
Website: https://www.lappartement-geneve.com/
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