I’m Ok (and other lies I tell myself) investigates the liminal space between narcissism and self-loathing. A fragile landscape that shapes humanity with its relentless ability to create distance between the perceived and created self. The exhibition’s witty and purposeful use of reflection provides the viewer space to consider the value of (self) image in our visually saturated culture.
Spivak has spent the last two years exploring the alchemical reactions of the 18th century, specifically silver’s relationship with glass. The resulting series reflects and disillusions the physical space of the gallery. At first glance the reflections appear clouded, mistaken and perhaps even failed – but slowly the uniqueness and clarity of each surface is revealed, reminding viewer and artist alike that the perceptions cast on ourselves will likely change the more time we spend with them.
The exhibition title references a universal conversation many of us share with ourselves - one we may hate to admit but likely engage with often. For the artist, it suggests the powerful duality of narcissism over his own identity - the created and perceived self, existing together in one space but impossibly so. Spivak uses this opportunity to publicly gesture towards his own issues in confidence, delusion and their respective relationships to self/image.
The artist’s own insecurities manifest themselves in a body of work that puts the gaze on display. Here, in this gallery, we are faced with ourselves: desires and diffidence reflected back at us.Divided, we are asked to contemplate the perspective of these bodies in both public and private. Realising just how fine this line is and how often it is traversed, I’m Ok (and other lies I tell myself) beckons us to consider the ways in which we view our self and the realities it constructs.
Spivak has spent the last two years exploring the alchemical reactions of the 18th century, specifically silver’s relationship with glass. The resulting series reflects and disillusions the physical space of the gallery. At first glance the reflections appear clouded, mistaken and perhaps even failed – but slowly the uniqueness and clarity of each surface is revealed, reminding viewer and artist alike that the perceptions cast on ourselves will likely change the more time we spend with them.
The exhibition title references a universal conversation many of us share with ourselves - one we may hate to admit but likely engage with often. For the artist, it suggests the powerful duality of narcissism over his own identity - the created and perceived self, existing together in one space but impossibly so. Spivak uses this opportunity to publicly gesture towards his own issues in confidence, delusion and their respective relationships to self/image.
The artist’s own insecurities manifest themselves in a body of work that puts the gaze on display. Here, in this gallery, we are faced with ourselves: desires and diffidence reflected back at us.Divided, we are asked to contemplate the perspective of these bodies in both public and private. Realising just how fine this line is and how often it is traversed, I’m Ok (and other lies I tell myself) beckons us to consider the ways in which we view our self and the realities it constructs.
