A show titled Politics might lead some to expect a divisive, argumentative gallery experience. However, in the hands of German-Turkish artist Revan Karaca, an unexpected lightheartedness emerges in the series of thirteen thought-provoking oil paintings which are being shown at Colonna Contemporary starting June 28th.
Michele Colonna, owner and curator of the gallery, was introduced to Karaca through a mutual friend, the curator and musician Dusty Wright. It was one of those wonderful moments when coincidence leads to creative collaboration—Wright left their phone on a couch at the Whitney Museum, and when Karaca returned it, their conversation naturally turned to art. Wright suggested getting in touch with Colonna, and he was intrigued by the high relevancy of her artworks.
The excitement for the show was so great that Karaca had to move up their original timeline. “When I began this series, I planned to work on it for at least one-and-a-half to two years to create about fifteen paintings,” she said. “However, the interest in showcasing the series arose so quickly that I had only nine months to complete it. I painted nearly every day for hours on end. It was exhausting and challenging, but I thrive on a good challenge.” There will be thirteen pieces on view at Colonna Contemporary, and the artist intends to eventually have over twenty in the full series.
The show points out “the 'theatre of the absurd’ performative element of the political scene,” Colonna said. The paintings depict politicians from various parliaments around the world physically fighting, shouting, or bloodied. Despite the scenes being set in certain countries, there is a universality to the images. As Colonna notes, “while not represented in the works in this show, we’re not far removed from joining these shameful ranks. There’s an hilarity and light-heartedness to the overall feel of the show as represented by the absurdity of the individual situations captured in the works.”
When I asked why they decided to focus on a fraught issue like politics, especially now, Karaca responded, “Precisely because it is such a fraught issue! I want my work to tackle complex and contentious topics.” In paintings that range from absurdist to almost photographic realism, Karaca highlights the structures and conflicts of modern politics.
“I'm curious about how our world operates, the systems we live in, and how they intersect through globalization,” she continued. “Politics fundamentally shapes our world, defining our geography with borders and guiding communities within states, both nationally and internationally. I believe it's essential to talk about these issues, and a meaningful conversation starts with good questions.”
Creating space for these conversations as well as encouraging viewers to engage with the artworks is part of the power of this exhibition. The artworks themselves are large, some over three feet wide, dominating the gallery and the viewer’s eye. “I think it’s important to have a global artistic perspective as a curator and gallerist,” said Colonna. The artists he represents come from around the globe as well as locally, and most he has collected from himself. As he noted, he is “quite the believer in their potential and vision.”
Karaca has turned that potential into a powerful commentary that invites viewers to consider critical topics and seek out their own answers. “There is never a wrong time to question and discuss these issues,” Karaca said. “Democracy is a system vested in these debates. To make informed choices, we need to know what we want, which begins with asking, ‘What are we fighting for?’”
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