This Is A Fantasy

Frank Taal Galerie, Rotterdam NL

15.06.2024 - 20.07.2024

Why do we often deceive ourselves rather than face reality in our modern world? This is a fantasy. Jake Kelly delves into our societal and individual cognitive dissonance on issues like pseudo-sustainability, responsibilisation, and value. His sculptures and installations, crafted from rope and repurposed materials, make profound aesthetic statements about the value of art. Using democratized materials like cheap rope and found objects, Kelly transforms waste into intricate woven structures, turning the worthless into art.

Frequently, his installations are repurposed from previous works. Kelly often arrives at exhibitions with a small bag, sometimes traveling by bike or on foot, carrying a folded woven piece that he suspends and adapts on-site over several days. His sculptures typically start with a single found object, such as a branch or a simple piece of wood, often imbued with personal meaning. In recent years, the use of recycled materials and the performative aspect of art creation have become more prominent in his work. By incorporating repurposed plastics, old electrical wires, and waste into his woven structures, Kelly engages with pressing societal issues. Kelly's work encourages us to embrace our hypocrisies rather than mock them. He believes that honesty with ourselves is essential for true progress. Through his art, Kelly prompts us to question what it means to create and live sustainably in this world.