JD MALAT GALLERY PRESENTS
Katrin Fridriks’ Fourth Solo Exhibition
STARGATE
Frieze Art 2024 9th October – 2nd November
– An Exploration of Cosmic Gateways and Magnetic Frequencies –

JD Malat Gallery is thrilled to announce its fourth collaboration in seven years with acclaimed Icelandic abstract artist, Katrin Fridriks, with the unveiling of her new exhibition, “Stargate”. This exhibition will be held during Frieze Art Week 2024, further showcasing Fridriks’ continued exploration of natural forces, speed, gravity, and the cosmos. Born in Reykjavik, Iceland, in 1974, Katrin Fridriks has gained global recognition for her powerful abstract paintings that delve into the profound interactions between humanity and the forces of nature, both visible and unseen. Known for pushing the boundaries of artistic expression, Fridriks’ innovative techniques translate complex natural phenomena into dynamic visual forms.

‘Travel far enough, you meet yourself’
David Mitchell

In “Stargate” Fridriks takes inspiration from the concept of cosmic portals, drawing from the real-world scientific explorations at CERN and NASA and taking it into the depths of the unknown. This series reflects her fascination with the notion of folding time and space, the potential creation of wormholes, like the Einstein-Rosen Bridge, and the occurrence of naturally formed portals called X-points: an ancient knowledge that, yet again, modern science has recently rediscovered around the Earth. These X-points, these invisible eternal and ethereal pathways to the Sun, other planets and the Great Beyond, serve as a metaphor for Fridriks’ contemplation of time, space, and the human connection with and to the Cosmos: 12 ascension passages on Earth, placed in specific and powerful geodetic junctions of the planet’s energetic grid and magnetic field known to modern science and ancient times alike as “Ley-Lines”.

This dynamic body of work confronts the viewer with the idea of StarGates : unseen bridges of the Cosmos that may lead to unknown corners of the universe and stellar shortcuts through space and time which echo mankind’s ancient quest and deep desire to journey to new horizons and unlock the mysteries of the universe. The copper and gold hues in this series evoke instead the ancient allure of alchemical transformation, the swirling, metallic forms reference the magnetic frequencies and mysterious black hole-like forces that power these invisible cosmic gateways.

‘What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract.
What you imagine, you create’
Buddha

Fridriks’ works are deeply connected to her Icelandic heritage: drawing energy and inspiration from the country’s awe-inspiring rough landscapes and raw natural beauty. Her latest works in this exhibition, however, expand beyond earthly landscapes, reaching into the far end of space and exploring the unseen forces that bind the universe together. And us with it. These paintings are not mere visual experiences: they evoke all the invisible forces that master the space-time continuum and the physical sensations that that truly rule the universe: power, gravity, speed.

JD Malat Gallery invites you to step through Katrin Fridriks’ artistic Stargate during Frieze Art Week and embark on a journey through space-time, where copper, gold, and the mysteries of the Universe converge.

– STARGATE –
THE ALCHEMICAL ELEMENTS

‘Alchemy is really the secret tradition of the redemption of spirit from matter’
Terence McKenna

Shifting from primary colors and adapting metallic liquids, Katrin Fridriks “Stargate” is the artist’s first artworks to feature copper, bronze and gold in the paint. A mesmerizing collection where the canvas becomes an alchemical crucible, blending the radiant hues of gold and the burnished warmth of copper. This curated ensemble of artworks transcends mere visuals, delving deep into the alchemy of colors and their profound historical resonance.

‘There are things known and there are things unknown,
and in between are the doors of perception’
Aldous Huxley

These artworks, adorned with copper and golden hues, invite the contemplation on the interplay between man and metal, the seen and the unseen, resonating with the echoes of bygone eras. The collection is a visual alchemy: a synthesis of artistic process and historical resonance, as each piece whispers the secrets of ancient laboratories and distant epochs, where alchemy and metallurgy intertwined to forge both material and spiritual wealth. Immerse yourself in the luminous dance of gold and the warm embrace of copper, and let the artistry of the ages captivate your senses and transport you to a realm where colors transcend the canvas, unlocking the alchemical secrets of the past. In the realm of Alchemy, copper found itself associated with the planet Venus: Alchemists believed that copper could channel the transformative energies of Venus, symbolizing the balance between the feminine and masculine principles. The alchemical quest for transmutation often involved the use of copper, connecting the metal to the mystical pursuit of spiritual enlightenment and the philosopher’s stone. Copper’s association with Venus extended beyond alchemy, as it became a symbol of love, beauty, and femininity.

Gold has always been viewed as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment and the perfection of the human soul. Gold’s journey through history is a testament to its enduring appeal and significance. From the divine realms of ancient civilizations to the alchemical pursuits of the Middle Ages, all the way to today’s use of this metal in the realms of science and stellar technology, gold’s continuous role in our history and development, as well as its esoteric qualities, have woven a rich tapestry of cultural, spiritual, and economic significance and surrounded it with a timeless mystique that has captivated humanity for millennia. – Written by Sebastian Di Giovanni, 2024.

‘Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known…’
Carl Sagan

JD Malat Gallery
30 Davies Street – Mayfair London
www.jdmalat.com