16.01-04.02.2019
Soda Pop on Asphalt
The bohemian aesthetics of disorder and the cozy irregularity are expressed in Kruusmägi's work. Among the motifs the artist has used there are plants, books, musical instruments, mirrors, wine glasses, other miscellaneous objects, cats, dogs and snakes. Chaotic heaps of clothes in her homes where the the artist has been living during the different phases of her life. An observant viewer can also detect autobiographical references on the depicted walls in Kruusmägi's work. On closer inspection it turns out that the artist has painted her earlier work in her paintings. The motif of constructing a home is important for Kruusmägi namely for the intimacy of atmosphere where the dense text of objects and people are formed.
Exhibited paintings can be divided into two categories of existence. First, there is the lazy girl syndrome expressed through the self-observation and contemplations of melancholy, dreaming young women. These characters are introvert model consumers and neoliberal paragon-hipsters of the „bloom boy and young girl“ era. Secondly, there are two-dimensional surfaces of details and miniature objects that lack spatiality. This raises the question whether the result reminds more of textile design or materialized elements of disordered thoughts. In other words, this looks like a blend of the popular theme of lifestyle bloggers „What's in my bag?“ and the semiotic concept of umwelt by biologist Jakob von Uexküll.
Kruusmägi's working method can be described by fast drawing, depiction of impulsive emotions and mood as well as painting large motifs while emphasizing the influence of colour in her work. Liisa Kruusmägi is definitely an artist with an established individual style, characterized by the rapidly propagating line that extends to various images: sneakers, wall and computer screens, thus referring to the various modalities of art consumption. The cognitive naivety of the artist is expressed rather in the emotional act of participation than conceptually.
Liisa Kruusmägi's work comprises thematic contradictions – her visual language is cartoon-like and two-dimensional, yet idealistic and enchanting. On one hand we can see something idyllic and cozy, on the other hand her work conveys escapism and melancholy. Such chaotic inner landscapes characterize not only Kruusmägi but the whole generation where she belongs.
Text by Madli Ehasalu