ENTROPIC THREADS

Curators

Rebecca Marcus-Monks

Artists

Onome Otite

Annie Ratti

Katie Lennard

Nadine Shaban

The Koppel Project is pleased to present Entropic Threads, a group exhibition of artists Kate Lennard, Onome Otite, Annie Ratti, and Nadine Shaban curated by Rebecca Marcus Monks including artists Entropic Threads focuses on the inherent feeling of movement and change, while drawing on the hard, scientific aspects as well as the softer, social science side of the artworks.

'Entropic' refers to the transformation of energy and our lack of control over it, where 'threads' quite literally points to fabric, but also to storytelling and history. Entropy pulls things apart into threads enabling each of the artists to put the pieces back together in a myriad of ways.

Annie Ratti’s work is based on the research of Wilhelm Reich. He explored ‘orgonic energy’, which he believed could be harnessed by metallic materials and absorbed by natural materials. This energy is then redirected to heal people’s illnesses. Ratti creates objects to draw and confine this esoteric energy. The orgone sculptures brings the private, internal healing into the public realm of the gallery.

The three-dimensional quality of Onome Otite’s illustrations explore the movement of the body as well as the movement of cultures across continents throughout history. Her work perfectly encapsulates potential energy of objects in space. Through the use of traditional Nigerian wax print fabrics, she connects to her own heritage while picking apart the appropriation of indigenous people’s ‘costumes’ by their colonisers.

The extensive installation created by Kate Lennard gives the viewer a glimpse into the portrait of a character of her own making. The entire space is a shell for this character’s life - a monolithic mask – arranged and dressed to invite the viewer straight into its exposed heart. Lennard channels the life-energy of this ‘rag-n-bone man’ between two rooms connected by a dado rail, which also serves as a protective element for this creature laid bare.

Nadine Shaban focuses on the process of making as a therapeutic outlet. The manipulation of found materials enables her to detach from the items themselves and use them as a mask to hide her vulnerability. Through the intimate nature of her practice, she is a catalyst of change for everyday objects. Shaban creates sculptures that are more significant than the sum of their parts by bringing together many individual pieces – strength in numbers.

Throughout the duration of the exhibition, there will be a series of performances. These events serve to animate the artworks, bringing them to life for our viewers.