St Jerome in the Wilderness : David Flaugher

Opening August 30, 2024 | 6 - 8 pm

 

Bernheim is thrilled to announce the opening of David Flaugher's first solo exhibition with the gallery in Zurich, ‘St Jerome in The Wilderness’. Comprising an entire new body of work, the show will focus on the theme of landscapes, in particular a new theme that has come to Flaugher’s work in his recent exploration of natural imagery, the willow tree. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, weaving together themes of transformation, kinetic energy, and the anthropomorphic potential of everyday objects, the artist is able to create an entire new visual vocabulary. 

 

"On any given subject, I'm seeking a kinetic, transformative energy," says Flaugher. "A common thing could be seen as animated or in a kind of superposition." It is here through the repetition of a singular motif, the willow tree, on different scales and multiple color palettes that Flaugher forces the viewer to reconsider the image each time, rendering it both familiar and abstract. These works have evolved to incorporate a suite of personal and historic references, yet the core concept of conversion and transformation remains central. The dichotomy of the symbol of the willow tree is at the center of this immersive exhibition, both representing adaptability and flexibility, also good luck, it is also a symbol for grief. Using this as an entry point, the artist delves into classical themes, as seen in the reinterpretation of historical depictions of Saint Jerome in the wilderness. These works often exhibit qualities of pareidolia, where Jerome appears to see or speak to divine figures in the rocks and trees around him. This blend of historical and contemporary imagery invites viewers to contemplate the intersections of faith, perception, and the natural world.This evolution highlights the artist's ability to blend personal narrative in contemporary society with broader historical contexts creating a dreamlike consciousness. It is also striking that in his particular technique, the brushstrokes become echoes of the movement of the trees, that the background through its color palette becomes foreground and all is united through an exceptional and intuitive understanding of color theory. 

 

Influenced by nature and homes in which he has occupied, the artist conveys the fleeting essence of life on earth, intimate family histories and changing values. Joyful elements are frequently contrasted with more melancholic imagery, creating a contemporary vanitas scene that reflects on the opposing forces in our daily lives. In some of his recent still life paintings featuring fruit, nature or wildlife, the objects appear drained and colourless, as if their potential for beauty and life has faded. 

 

David Flaugher (b. 1986 Detroit, USA), lives and works in Berlin, Germany. He has recently exhibited at Tara Downs, New York, USA; Ginny on Frederick, London; Bernheim, London; Lomex, New York; ANDNOW, New York; Linseed Projects, Shanghai and In Lieu, Los Angeles. He holds a BFA from College for Creative Studies, Detroit (2018) and Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture, Skowhegan (2010), as well as an MFA from New York University (2013).