Jean-Pierre Roy Invitational

Jean-Pierre Roy (US), Andy Cross (US) and Johnston Foster (US)

25.05.24 – 13.07.24  

Embarking on a journey through enthralling three-dimensional realms, Jean-Pierre Roy, Andy Cross and Johnston Foster converge in their exploration of art’s boundless dimensions in Jean Pierre Roy Invitational. The trio began a conversation in their first big New York exhibition together in 2006.  The show, titled “Stranger than Fiction”, at RARE Gallery presented the three artists against the backdrop of the tumultuous events of the beginning of the 21st century.  Encompassing a wide range of material and conceptual concerns, Roy, Cross and Foster put both the Art World’s pluralism and the unfolding global shifts of the new century into sharp relief. 

In this exhibition, Roy invites Cross and Foster to continue the conversation between them that started almost 20 years ago in New York.  While much has changed in the intervening two decades, the pace of change has only increased. Now is the perfect time to return to the lens that the work of these three artists puts back on the world and take account of the state of this rapidly paced century. The exhibition opening will take place on Saturday, May 25th, 12.00 – 16.00 at Gallery Poulsen, where Jean-Pierre Roy will be making the journey across the Atlantic to hold an artist talk at 13.00.

A beam of light shines through collapsed ceilings, illuminating the faces of otherworldly figures inhabiting the debris of abandoned buildings situated beneath blue skies in Jean-Pierre Roy’s latest works. In a world where form and physics are intertwined, Jean-Pierre Roy uses imaginative authorship to create visually coherent experiences that combine the ineffable and imperceptible in hyperrealistic transcendental works. Roy taps into our cognitive reality in a series of paintings that push the boundaries of the conscious and subconscious mind. In these works, we experience a closer examination and simultaneous undoing of rational thought. At first glance, we see what appears as a comprehensible illusion but what is actually a visual conundrum unfolding before us. Our behavior with the natural world and the systems we engage with is based on an accumulation of knowledge that denotes these systems recognizable before our eyes. To find ourselves in an unrecognizable reality has been a pressing existential fear of many societies passed. The unknown becomes a terrifying, awe-inspiring, catalyst for anxiety but at the same time representative of a desire to make the non-visible visible. Drawing on a deep-rooted love of cosmology, perceptual neurology, geology, psychology, art history and theoretical physics, Roy shifts our cognitive biases through works that challenge and expand upon a previously ingrained perception of reality. For a moment, we gain access to a reality beyond our wildest imagination as Roy takes us on a voyage across a multitude of dimensions, a manifestation of the immanent yearning for a connection to the intangible parts of our minds. Roy’s compelling works pose the perpetual question “Is it possible to see the world beyond our senses?”.

For generations, people have collected pictures of loved ones as a way to hold onto cherished memories and to feel connected even when physically apart. Solidarity and community are two recurring themes in Andy Cross’s bold, kaleidoscopic paintings depicting portraits in personal prismatic worlds. Inspired by the isolation during the pandemic, this series of works came about as a response to a period of great solitude. In times where social interactions are limited for a variety of reasons, we as human beings need to find a way to feel a sense of belonging and connect with one another. For many of us, images can help us remember moments of joy and laughter, preserve the essence of those we hold dear in our hearts and provide solace in times of loneliness. Cross’s paintings open a portal for us to navigate through difficult times with strength and resilience.

Inspired by Van Gogh who would use both sides of the canvas in order to save money, these double-sided canvases are placed perpendicular to the wall, allowing for a dynamic viewing experience and activating the space around them. Cross paints each side of the canvas at different stages in time. In doing so, his works have become reflective of his growth and development as an artist. Cross seamlessly blends tradition and innovation as each stroke tells a story of his friends, portraying not only their physical likeness but also encapsulating the very essence of his subjects' passions and energies. Some of his pieces reflect spontaneous plein air sessions, while others are created through intricate collage techniques, where layers of canvas and paint intertwine to create a rich assortment of imagery. His polychromatic work combines figurative elements with abstract forms to create a unique world where reality and imagination converge. 

Johnston Foster presents before us a series of turquoise skulls filled with intricate miniature cosmoses that evoke the timeless contemplation of life and death that has captivated art history for centuries passed. Fueled by an impulse to take recognizable objects and reconstruct new forms, Foster has a unique talent for transforming discarded objects into remarkable figurative sculptures. From initially filling his college dorm room with junk and garbage, Foster now creates intricate works of art by cutting, bending, and piecing together found objects such as PVC, textiles, plastic electrical wire casing, plywood and abandoned yoga mats. As a child, he would scavenge discarded scrap wood from nearby construction sites, fashioning them into treehouses or skateboard ramps. Foster's artistic process is characterized by his attraction to accessible materials, with many of his sculptures incorporating objects sourced within a one-mile radius of his home. These items, reflecting both their environment and their previous utility, undergo a transformative journey, emerging as captivating works of art imbued with the energy of their former owners. Foster cherishes the thrill of stumbling upon abandoned treasures by the roadside, loading them onto his pickup truck, and transporting them back to his studio. Through hands-on manipulation and transformative processes, Foster instills discarded materials with new layers of significance and depth. His body of work exclusively utilizes objects destined for landfill, showcasing a profound commitment to reimagining the sculptural medium through sustainability and environmental awareness.

Jean-Pierre Roy Invitational

Jean-Pierre Roy (US), Andy Cross (US) and Johnston Foster (US)

25.05.24 – 13.07.24  

Opening reception: Saturday, May 25th, 12.00 – 16.00

The exhibition presents a body of 16 oil paintings and 3 wall-mounted sculptures

Contact the gallery at [email protected] or tel.+ 45 33 33 93 96 for more info

Installation Images