HOT SUMMER PT. 1

Featuring Mónica Hernández, Emiliana Henriquez, Iva Lalushi, and Konstantina Krikzoni

Galerie Julien Cadet, 54 Rue Chapon Paris

June 10th – July 20th 2023

In a time characterized by constant change and societal upheaval, a vibrant celebration of liberation emerges as we enter the bountiful season of creative exploration. Swivel Gallery is pleased to present "Hot Summer” in collaboration with Galerie Julien Cadet, as the first installment of a two-part group show that unites a diverse collective of artists who fearlessly delve into uncharted realms of human experience. Casting aside the dogmas of religious conservatism that have long dominated our planet, these artists embrace a contemporary form of paganism, breathing new life into old zeitgeist.

By revisiting the pre-Christian era as a source of inspiration, these works prompt us to reevaluate our direction as we journey into the future. The exhibition encourages a return to the primordial wisdom and ancient spiritual practices inherent in earlier pagan cultures. Our featured artists illuminate the profound meanings embedded within human instincts and the cyclical patterns found in nature, freely and wildly engaging sensuality as a means to express the inner self. Their work examines this as a means of resistance against repression: challenging socio-political control on individual lives, narratives of propaganda, and the patriarchal objectification of female bodies.

Two paintings by Mónica Hernández set the scene in scorching domestic spaces. Feminine figures appear to melt against the respite of home interiors in languorous poses, weaving a sense of self-discovery through memory and heritage. Emiliana Henriquez’s portraits in profile glow from natural light just beyond the frame, in subtle and sensual moments of commune with a seemingly remote era. Iva Lalushi’s work creates charged narratives of a feral violence and sexuality, while Kostantina Krikzoni’s canvases hold masses of unruly bodies, undulating and dripping in warm, illustrious hues.

The artists in this first installment promise a sensory and intellectual feast, each offering a unique perspective on dismantling the constraints imposed by civilization. With a focus on instinctive human behavior and the natural rhythms of the body, particularly those considered taboo today, these visionaries unveil spiritual interpretations that transcend the narrow confines of societal frameworks.