Hew Locke and Indra Khanna, lead artist-curators for
Deptford X 2012, have selected the following headline artists for this year’s programme, Henna Nadeem, Dzine, Doug Jones and The Hidden Noise. These accomplished artists have been selected by our leading artists/ curator because of their work embodies the theme and spirit of this year’s festival.
PHENOMENON
Dzine Wednesday to Sunday, 12noon to 6pm
Phenomenon is a mixed media exhibition, which captures the spirit of “Szwaybar,” a phenomenon that is central to the youth of Curacao, and never previously documented or viewed outside the island.
The ‘Szwaybar’ bicycle developed from the ‘Szway’ motorbike – a motorbike that has been altered and extended into an oddly shaped driving craft. Since the youth of Curacao can’t afford these motorbikes, they simply try to copy the technique with a bicycle by memory. These bicycles, which may be their only means of transportation, become symbols of style, decoration, status and showmanship.
Dzine has created a hybrid sculpture inspired by and partially produced on the Dutch island of Curacao, during his residency at the Instituto Buena Bista Curacao Center for Contemporary Art. Taking inspiration from the Szwaybar custom-made bicycles and fusing the language of his studio practice, this unique work is presented on a tiered and decorative pedestal—the piece is idealised as a static and statuesque object of desire, and a dedication to the Curacao youth. The embellishments of 24-‐karat gold leaf, crystals, jewels, customised pendants and embellished carnivalesque floral arrangements create texture and capture the essence of an altarpiece.
Dzine started out as a graffiti artist before moving into contemporary art. He continues his investigation into Kustom Kulture, particularly looking at how the masculine can become delicate, and incorporating the ideals of craft-making, appropriation and the baroque. He is a recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation award for painting and sculpture and has had numerous solo exhibitions across the US, Europe and the Far East. In 2007 he was one of five artists representing Ukraine in the Venice Biennial.
This exhibition was made possible with the support of Galerie Henrik Springman, Berlin
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