NDSM Get Lost
DH MACK expositie: Beyond past and present…the bigger picture
Mack is an artist whose unique figurative paintings are based on a contemporary narrative inspired by renaissance styles and techniques. On her large scale canvases with thinly applied oil paint on cotton and a calm balanced colour scheme, almost like pastel, she drives the narrative of her work due to her careful homage to the old masters with a modern social perspective. Think visually of the biblical and mythological narratives by the Italian masters, simplicity of form and colour of Japanese masters, social commentary by Goya and the solitary feelings created by Edward Hopper all seem to come together.
In her work she searches for the soul of modern man, his relation to the people around him and his moment to moment battle with space and perception, vision and placement, survival and in some cases death. She draws you into her imaginative view of modern absurdity. While at first glance she takes you on a trip into a simplistic landscape, a second look shows a use of image and background and a philosophical depth that allows the observer to create his own less than comfortable view of the world he inhabits.
The fact that she chooses to work into detail some of the elements in the painting while leaving other parts unfinished creates a visual depth that makes it possible to interpret her work at different levels.
DHMack first solo exhibition at the NDSM fuse is definitely worth paying a visit. Her use of fences instead of white walls and the circular set up of this exhibition feels like a panorama set up to see the artist’s 360° vision of the world around us.