DO WE, BY VIRTUE OF LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE, CRITIQUE THE PRESENT?
AND BY CREATING A FICTIONAL WORLD, CAN WE HOLD UP A MIRROR TO OURSELVES?
INSPIRED BY PERSONAL HISTORIES, THE CREATIVITY OF THE DIASPORA, ANCESTRAL STORIES, AND RECENT COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCES, I HAVE CREATED A WORLD DISTILLED DOWN INTO THE SIMPLEST NECESSITIES - HUMAN CONNECTION AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. VALUES THAT HAVE BECOME INFINITELY MORE IMPORTANT IN RECENT TIMES. TAROGRAMMA IS A VESSEL FOR ALL THESE IDEAS."
Damien Cifelli, 2024
"The Thing Beyond: Adventures in Tarogramma" invites viewers to embark on a captivating journey into the imaginative realm meticulously crafted by artist Damien Cifelli. The exhibition will mark the artist's first-ever solo presentation in Germany and brings togehter 10 canvases of various sizes, all created in the past year.
Rooted in the exploration of 'Tarogramma,' a fictional world entirely of his own invention, Cifelli's body of work challenges conventional artistic boundaries and invites contemplation on the intersection of reality and fantasy.
As a visionary young artist, Damien Cifelli is celebrated for his imaginative prowess, having garnered recognition through multiple prestigious awards. Winner of the 2023 East London Art Prize, Cifelli's creative genius extends across various mediums, from oil paintings to tapestries and sculptures. His ability to construct the fictional world of Tarogramma, complete with its unique culture, has captivated audiences. Notable among his accolades are the 2022 UK New Artists Award and the Delphian Open Call, establishing Cifelli as an emerging force in the contemporary art scene.The artist is born 1991 in Edinburgh, Scotland and currently lives and works in Lisbon, Portugal.
