23k gold, inkjet print and oil on canvasFranz Kaka
Description
Human-crafted. AI-refined.
The artwork features a visually striking and dynamic composition dominated by vibrant colors and organic, swirling shapes. The central focus is a golden, radiant explosion of abstracted floral or plant-like forms, conveying a sense of energy and growth. The overall palette is a harmonious blend of warm yellows, oranges, and earthier tones, accentuated by the inclusion of the bold "OPEN" text. The artist employs a distinctive technique, incorporating elements of collage, painting, and perhaps digital manipulation, to create a surreal, otherworldly scene that invites the viewer to contemplate themes of openness, transformation, and the boundless potential of the natural world. ...
Elif Saydam creates alluring, multi-layered canvases which host elements of both ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture. Saydam begins each piece by collecting materials and photographs gathered in both public and private space. An image of a municipal building for example might act as an atmospheric layer for the artist to build upon. The detritus of our daily lives such as chocolate wrappers or cigarette papers are then embedded with highly valued materials such as 23-carat gold and oil paints, creating tableaux which lay bare the biases and privileges which govern late capitalist society. Each piece is laden with religious symbols, gestural markings and art historical references. Drawing on their own Turkish heritage, the artist cites the influence of miniature Ottoman painting in particular as a crucial aesthetic pull. In Saydam’s own words, they are interested in ‘weaponizing the decorative’. They’re eager to unpack why illustrious, grand details within classical painting are culturally revered for example, whilst ornate packaging on sweets is considered tacky or kitsch. With an interest in uncovering the construction of beauty, Saydam creates sensorially rich works which urge viewers to reconsider their own understandings of beauty. ...
