The last slice

The Last Slice brings together the works of eight international artists; Alma Berrow, Tania Blanco, Holly Halkes, Maia Regis, Iván Forcadell, Kat Lowish, Coline Marotta and Lena Christakis, showing their different approaches and visions surrounding food.

 

From the industrialisation of food to the exploration of human behavior, “The Last Slice,” interprets the act of eating as a social act around a table. As an episode that becomes a historical moment, as a gathering of people, relatives, acquaintances in an everyday life, a reference to the traditional still life; food, like life, is a cycle that begins and ends. However, what spatial/temporal value are we giving it?

Talking reference to the title of the exhibition: “The Last Slice,” captures a moment of gathering around a meal. Friends, family, enjoying a meal, a good conversation around the table.

 

The British artist, Alma Berrow (London, UK, 1992), knows how to play well with the concept of food, as her ceramic sculptures in the form of vegetables remind us of the traditional still life, adding relief and texture in the form of an everyday object, such as a lamp. The American artist Lena Christakis (New York, USA, 1997) works with the same concept of still life, in her works we see objects represented in a sparse manner, in undefined environments.

 

Tania Blanco (Valencia, Spain, 1978), presents a series of sculpture paintings, which symbolise food products. Through her works, she tells stories around the theme of food, from a socio-political point of view in which she questions the origin and impact of the processed food that we buy in supermarket chains and department stores. She also refers to the packaging of these products, each presented with a careful image, one that is retouched to appear more natural and fresh. For the American artist Kat Lowish (New York, USA, 1990), storytelling has always been at the heart of her artistic practice. As a lover of theatre and performance, Lowish imagines stories that do not have concrete outcomes. Her works depict scenes that tell stories and she paints to garner intrigue and provoke questions, while giving the viewer the freedom to continue or conclude their own story.

 

For Iván Forcadell (Alcanar, Spain, 1993) the countryside and folklore are characteristics of his fresh and colourful style. His works show us traditions, moments and vibrant experiences. The works of Holly Halkes (London, UK, 1993,) create an alternative social space characterised by freedom and an abundance of social interactions. The British artist situates these scenes between real life and fantasy, playing with a touch of humour, which leads us to reflect on our own identity. Her relationship with food is like a real chaotic tragicomedy, where time and space are suspended, almost crystallised in the gesture of a hand trying to find an escape.

 

The expressionist paintings of Coline Marotta (Biarritz, France, 1991) depict an atmosphere of tranquillity, solace and reconciliation. Marotta opts to investigate our everyday, commonplace activities. In her works she illustrates contemplative characters, who are in an embrace or holding hands, adding an element of intimacy to the familiar spaces they inhabit. In contrast, the works of Maïa Regis (Paris, France, 1995) are associated with noises, street dialogues and tactile sensations that are linked to a cinematic dimension. They come from the enjoyment of colour, from musical impulses of all styles, and from wandering through street markets full of differing foods and smells. Her paintings represent a mosaic of contemporary images, inspired by lived experiences or drawn from the media, music or cinema.