Monika Stricker

Monika Stricker’s paintings embody a timeless, classical quality while often exploring themes of transience and ambiguity. Her choice of provocative subjects elicits strong emotional reactions from viewers. By blending traditional aesthetics with modern critical perspectives, Stricker delves into complex topics such as vulnerability, identity, and the dynamics of power. In her earlier series, Stricker’s portrayal of faceless male figures with omitted genitalia challenged conventional patriarchal symbols, highlighting the fragility and constructed nature of identity. Her recent work shifts focus to a range of motifs, including breastfeeding primates, dogs, and fragmented human forms like feet. These elements, deeply intertwined with her personal fears and fascinations, invite reflection on intimacy and the existential human condition, positioning viewers in roles that oscillate between participant and observer. Her art compels audiences to confront uneasy truths about dependence, submission, and exposure. By featuring subjects like nude men, animals, or her own body parts, Stricker strips away societal veneers, leaving behind a raw, disconcerting intimacy that blurs the line between vulnerability and strength​. ...

Dépendance is a contemporary art gallery founded in 2003 by Michael Callies and Stephan Jaax in Brussels. Situated in the heart of the city, the gallery has established itself as a pivotal space for critical and experimental artistic practices. Since its inception, dépendance has been dedicated to presenting works that challenge conventions and engage with social and political themes. The gallery's program includes both emerging and established artists, fostering a dynamic dialogue within the contemporary art scene. ...