‘Shattered Speech’ @ Grove Collective

“To abstract is to draw out the essence of a matter’ – Ben Shahn (1898 – 1969)

Abstraction, unmistakably referenced by this exhibition’s title, permits an allusion – or evasion – of form. The works comprising Shattered Speech indeed shatter figuration - composed of luscious brushstrokes and fluid lines, they create a sense of endless discovery. Featuring three artists - Una Ursprung (b. 1985, Taipei), Sin Park (b. Seoul) and Martin Lukáč (b. 1989, Slovakia), Shattered Speech brings together artists who revel in their respective frenzies. Ursprung’s delicate abstract floral imagery contrasts against the more rigid abstraction of Park’s canvases, whilst the fluid lines skating across her works mirrors those in Lukáč’s large-scale artworks. It is precisely this fusion of diverse, yet comparable artists that Grove Collective pulls off so well in each exhibition.

Martin Lukáč, Not Yet Titled #3, 2021. Source: Grove Collective.

As one enters Grove Collective’s exhibition space, in person or online, within the room immediately on one’s right five works from Park’s The Lost Language of X series are hung. Within this room one also encounters Ursprung’s Rhododendrons by the Lake, Flowering Plant #20 (2021) and Warm Breeze, Flowering Plant #16 (2021). The realism of Ursprung’s flora provides a stark contrast to the spray-painted streaks of colour. The liberatingly quick nature of spray painting juxtaposes the careful, slow strokes required for a detailed oil painting. Ursprung’s spray painted strokes can be interpreted as a commentary on environmental pollution, which too scars our natural habitats, much like it scars the canvas surface here. As Una writes:

“these motions are fast yet free, for they can immediately change the atmosphere that I have already fostered with my careful strokes. They display a different set of personality, desire, and space. I am intrigued by the result”. – Una Ursprung X Art Maze Mag.

Una Ursprung, Warm Breeze, Flowering Plant #16, 2021. Source: Grove Collective.

 Una Ursprung, Rhododendrons by the Lake, Flowering Plant #20 (2021). Source: Grove Collective.

 In Lukáč’s unruly yet elegant Not Yet Titled #3 (2021), powerful graphic elements are presented alongside blank analogues of muted colour. The vigorous sense of repetition prevalent in his art is visible throughout the works selected for Shattered Speech, and this is especially true of their limited, yet vibrant, colour palettes. Lukáč’s paints instinctively and impulsively, which is confirmed in his expressive marks and gestural strokes. 

Sin Park similarly works without constraint, abandoning any preconceived rules or conceptions of image composition in favour of spontaneity and intuition.  Thick impasto brushstrokes adds a three dimensionality to her energetic brushstrokes. “Far from the negation of the image, Park’s abstraction opens the door to serendipity”, writes O’Callaghan in the exhibition synopsis. Park confesses in her artist’s statement that she desires to construct a “liberated space of complexity” in each painting. This is certainly true of her The Lost Language of X series, in which webs of colourful lines overlap in irregular spontaneity.

Sin Park, The Lost Language of X [30], 2021. Source: Grove Collective.

Within the second smaller room in Grove Collective’s space the paintings are hung in a similar configuration to the first. A large-scale work by Lukáč occupies the central wall, whilst smaller works by Urpsrung and Park populate the remaining space. Vibrant and colourful, the works demand one’s individual attention, yet they work well as a collective whole.

Sin Park, Sweet Toned Voice (2020). Source: Grove Collective.

Una Urpsrung, Fine Day, Flowering Plant #16 (2021). Source: Grove Collective.

Shattered Speech highlights Grove Collective’s continuing effort to champion artists practicing outside of London, as Lukáč, Park and Urpsrung are based in Prague, Glasgow and Basel respectively. Grove Collective extends this dialogue further as each artist is currently living and working away from their native country. The architecture of Grove’s exhibition space compliments Shattered Speech: segmenting the works into three groups, providing a welcomed reprieve and ensuring the works do not get lost amongst each other. Only several months since they opening their physical space, Grove Collective’s programme of exhibitions continues to showcase top-calibre artists in fresh, exciting shows.

Having run from July 1st – July 13th 2021 Shattered Speech is still available to view via Grove Collective’s website.

Olivia Wilson

MADE IN BED, Reviews Editor

All images courtesy of Grove Collective.