CLUJ-NAPOCA

The exhibition "Coming from The Shadows" consists of a series of paintings and sculptures by the Hong Kong-based Norwegian artist Espen Cook (b .1991). He explores various themes and subjects with different mediums: painting, video, music. "Coming from the shadows" means coming from the sideline, and the exhibition symbolizes the artist’s return to Europe after many years in Asia. At the same time, "Coming from the shadows" attempts to regard painting and sculpture from a different perspective, mimicking the approach of an autodidact rather than a formally trained professional. The pieces are quickly mounted together using found industrial materials, and the pre-existing shapes define the shapes and structures of the finished artworks. The works are an exploration of life, questioning, enhancing, copying, re-using familiar language and turning old ideas into new ones. The exhibition revolves around the idea of collage: on one hand, the different layers of wood and paper glued together to create shapes, surfaces, and shadows; on the other hand, the collection of ideas and experiences drawn from the creative world of Hong Kong and Beijing.