Willow Art Space is presenting Homo Viator, a group exhibition that explores the journey of the human spirit through diverse artistic expressions by Jan Valik, Lily Hargreaves, Liu Bing, Lorena Levi, Louise Janet, Paula Parole, Jiang Yifan, and Zhang Shangfeng.
Homo Viator is a Latin phrase that describes man as the eternal traveler. It is also related to the Greek understanding of man (Anthropos), emphasizing the journey of life. The existentialist philosopher Gabriel Marcel also used this phrase as the title of his 1942 book, in which he describes man as an itinerant being.
Time and space are two forms of this journey, and hope is the supreme underlying tool that keeps us “being on the way” (en route). As human beings travel between past and future, exploring in-between spaces, Homo Viator has become a central figure of contemporary society, providing a sense of identity and a drive for discovery and dialogue against the backdrop of globalization and mobilization.The exhibition brings together the works of eight contemporary artists, each offering a unique perspective on this existential theme.
Jan Valik initiates an ongoing dialogue between intuition and rationality, cultivating a process where external space, internal subconsciousness, and the exploration of colors and brushstrokes interact. Jiang Yifan, Paula Parole, and Zhang Shangfeng combine, structure, place, and appropriate fragments of memories and everyday life into metaphysical realities, offering a new narrative open to interpretation. Lily Hargreaves delves into distant pasts, reshaping historical narratives to offer fresh insights. Louise Janet focuses on the seemingly tenuous and repetitive nature of daily life, revealing the infinite enigma of the ordinary. Lorena Levi examines the digital sphere, using chatrooms and online forums to form her relationships with her sitters and her paintings. Liu Bing’s practice is deeply rooted in her experiences living across Africa, Latin America, China, and India, infused with the intuition and imagination to explore humanity as a monumental book.
Through 19 carefully curated works, Homo Viator reflects on the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the complexities of modern life, exploring themes of hope, community, and the human spirit’s enduring quest for discovery.
In conjunction with the exhibition, a series of workshops will be held, organised by Zhimin Zhang and Jiachen Zeng, led by the exhibiting artists, aiming to engage local communities and schools. These workshops will delve into local folklore and storytelling, creating a rich dialogue between art and community.
About Curator: Zhimin Zhang
Zhimin Zhang (b.1997) is a Wuhan-born, London-based curator with a diverse interdisciplinary background spanning entrepreneurship, marketing, theatre, and art curation. She has cultivated a wealth of experiences through studies, volunteer work, and professional engagements across China, Norway, Kenya, and the UK. Zhimin Zhang is also the recipient of the Innovate UK Young Innovator Award. She has a keen focus on creating cross-industry opportunities that bridge the art world with other sectors, making artistic expression more accessible and impactful. Her research inquiries are oriented towards the intersection of art and marketing, exploring innovative and inclusive strategies to bridge the gap between creators and appreciators within the art world.
About Willow Art Space
Founded in London in 2022, Willow Art Space (WAS) is an art enterprise dedicated to discovering, championing, and advocating for young, emerging, and underrepresented artists.
Our mission is to host exhibitions that not only showcase exceptional artists and artworks but also connect them with different sectors, fostering boundary-pushing, cross- disciplinary projects that enrich the cultural, social, and economic landscape.
About Noiascape
Noiascape is an integrated organisation creating Modern Urban Living, for a network of global creatives. Working at the interface between design, development, and space curation, Noiascape design and develop contemporary living experiences in urban centres. Through their network of spaces, Noiascape offers a new way to live, work and socially connect in cities. Their initiative, Noia-Social, provides spaces to support emerging creatives access new audiences and networks. This allows visual culture to be part of local communities in an accessible way. By hosting exhibitions, talks and events, Noiascape connect creatives with their communities, enriching everyday cultural experiences.
Homo Viator will run from October 10th – October 24th, 2024
Opening: Thursday, October 10th, from 6-9pm.
Location: Noiascape, High Street House, 83 Askew Road, London W12 9AH
Please RSVP through the provided link.