'Ambient Anxiety' by Djuro Selec & Elina Yumasheva

'Ambient Anxiety' presents two ambitious female artists at the beginning of their careers, with a series of abstract paintings exploring an unshakeable sensation that exists in contemporary everyday life. Two modern neuroses collide environmental helplessness with technological dependency.

The joint concept follows the idea of “ambient anxiety” first introduced by Paul Virilio in “The Original Accident” book from 2005. The artists individually see the collapsing environment and the glitch as the frontiers of reckoning with humanity. One shows the limits of our planet. While the other indicates the limits of our technology. Both comment on the unsustainable speed of humanity’s material progress and unfolding entropy. Adding the global pandemic and geopolitical instability on top of it, our minds and hearts are saturated with every imaginable anxiety on a daily basis. This show paints the distress our inner, and outer worlds are under.

Djuro Selec’s (djuro.art) work explores the relationship between idealised contemporary life and the virtual lives that interrupt it. She portrays how technology changes our perception and influences nature and how its manifestation may be natural in itself. Artist’s visual dialect mimics a computer graphics one, with masking, airbrushing and grid systems inviting us to wake up and peek into the cracks of the technosphere.

“I was drawn to Djuro’s unique visual style, achieved through masking and layering spray paint, creating glitchy interference that plays with our perception.” says Chris Corbin, Director, Curious Kudu Gallery.

Elina Yumasheva (elinaart.com) explores the intersection of art and science by working with abstraction and landscapes in mixed media. Her research focuses on environmental issues – being able to emotionally express them as an artist and decipher the science behind them creates her unique signature style. One may observe how the portrayal of light moves from projecting strength, firmness and sharpness to the subtle feeling of softness and fragility.

“Rich in textures, shapes and forms, Elina’s works, often in monochrome, are a truly fascinating light journey that connects with you deeply on an emotional level,” comments Chris Corbin, Director, Curious Kudu Gallery.

Concerns, such as climate change, plastic pollution, human rights, increasing reliance on technology, the ongoing pandemic and military conflicts have become eerily present in our lives. Overwhelming or subtle, they persistently determine our feelings, thoughts and actions.

elinaart.com / @elinayum_art

djuro.art / @djuro.art

We ask that you take a lateral flow test before attending Curious Kudu. Please do not visit our venue if you are showing any COVID symptoms. We continue to encourage the use of our hand sanitising station social distancing where possible.

EXHIBITION KEY INFORMATION:

Exhibition dates: 1st April to 1st May 2022. Open Wednesday to Sunday 2:00 pm to 6.30 pm. Free admission.

Location: Curious Kudu, 117 Queen's Rd, London SE15 2EZ, UK