Antique romance by Maude Maris in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Paris-based artist Maude Maris’ first solo exhibition in Turkey was opened on Nov. 12 at Pi Artworks Istanbul.

The exhibition, titled “Antique Romance,” consists of a considered and minimal selection of paintings and sculptures that showcase the two main sides of Maris’ practice. These new semi-abstract compositions combine in unusual ways references to objects and architecture from both ancient cultures and contemporary civilizations.

Recurrent within the exhibition are references to the transformed remnants of ancient civilizations: The gigantic sculptures of Mount Nemrut in Turkey, the belongings of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, and the artefacts of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum. 

Maris investigates the role and spiritual meaning of ancient sculptures depicting animalistic figures, particularly large scale ones placed on and around buildings and furniture. Particular attention is given to how the form of these sculptures has changed over time. Her work references historical sculptures such as those depicting Big Jerry, Big Horus and Big Io, but all comes from cast of small contemporary toys or kitsch figures.
Maris’ works described as architecture of emotion. She builds emotions through physical constructions and creates passages between the objects and figures, the past and today. 

To capture the three-dimensionality of her subjects, Maris always creates small sculptures to model her paintings on. In “Antique Romance,” her bigger sculptures are presented together with her paintings to form a broader installation.

The exhibition, which was previously displayed at Pi Artworks London, the gallery’s Contemporary Istanbul booth, can be seen through Dec. 30 at Pi Artworks Istanbul.