“The Eye of the Storm” Installation view at Peres Projects ©Peres ProjectsPeres Projects presents “The Eye of the Storm”, the first solo exhibition in Asia by emerging Swiss artist Jeremy, through March 3.
Jeremy’s work explores gender identity and sexuality, examining the splendor and seductive delicacy of our bodies. The human figures in his work are central to his compositions, and their twisted bodies draw on magical realism and the European Surrealist lineage. The androgynous figures not only subvert and defy strict social norms, but also reveal the relationship between disgust and desire. This exhibition presents 16 of Jeremy’s most recent works, showcasing the breadth of his oeuvre.
This exhibition is the first to introduce Jeremy’s unique painting style and distinctive narrative construction to Korea in earnest, focusing on identity, mythology, and queer imagery that transcends binary categorization. Inspired by ancient mythology, fantasy literature, and video games, the artist sees his art as a form of worldbuilding. With each work, he builds a universe populated by non-normative allegories, where allegedly frivolous ideas, such as a cyclops winning a beauty contest (Miss Cyclope 23, 2023), invite reflection on nonconforming bodies and identities.
The exhibition unfolds an overarching narrative that connects the paintings, both spatially and conceptually, while immersing the viewer in the work. Jeremy presents an augmented experience, as a soundscape produced by Golce complements the paintings and envelops the viewerSeveral sonic layers overlap and follow the progression of the exhibition and its storyline, echoing the visual leitmotif that runs throughout the gallery space.
While the anthropomorphic figure has long been central to Jeremy’s practice, it takes on a new dimension in this most recent body of work. Approaching the genre from various perspectives, he embraces a wide array of references drawn from art history and the graphic arts. These range from the ancient ideal body and drapery in Golden Skin (2023) and German expressionism in Lady with pearl in red (2023) to manga in Confession (2023) and even a passport photo aesthetic in the very frontal composition of Rose (2023).
Mindful of our turbulent times, Jeremy questions the role of the artist in the midst of the storm, and embraces that of imagining new possibilities and narratives as his own. Although imbued with gravity, The Eye of the Storm conjures up a hopeful romanticism. With a certain playfulness, Jeremy weaves in details that circulate from one work to the next. Materializing an idea of cyclicality, they are an invitation to envision better times. Within the titular work lies a message of precarious yet possible hope, concealed in the form of a partly obscured inscription—an encrypted key for the viewer to decipher.
Jeremy (b. 1996) graduated from the Haute École d’Arts et de Design (HEAD), Geneva, in 2021. That same year, he had his debut solo exhibition “Art is Lifer” at Wallstreet, Fribourg. In 2023, Jeremy had his first solo exhibition with Peres Projects in Berlin. In addition, he has participated in a number of group exhibitions, including the recent ”Peintres,” Centre d’Art Contemporain d’Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland (2023); “The New, New,” Peres Projects, Seoul (2023); ”La main-pleur,” curated by Nicolas Brulhart and Sacha Rappo, Kunsthalle Friart Fribourg, Switzerland (2022); “September Issues,” curated by Mohamed Almusibli, Peres Projects, Milan (2022); “CHEMICAL X,” Cherish, Geneva (2022); “A moment of being,” Bollag Atelier, Basel (2022); and “LEMANIANA – Reflections on other scenes,” Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève, Geneva (2021).
