For his first solo exhibition in London, Akhavanjam’s Coexistence illustrates the artist’s expertise in metal, particularly stainless steel and his ability to balance the fundamental strength of this material with the delicacy of his cast forms.
Akhavanjam’s work interrogates threats to our civilization as a result of climate change and environmental destruction. The tortious, writhing limbs of the artist’s recent Conflictus series are at once entwined animals and abstract forms. The struggle they are locked in leaves us wondering where to look and the lack of a cohesive view relates the viewer back to the multiple environmental, social and cultural crises that Akhavanjam approaches in his artistic production.
Contrastingly, Natura, cast in polished stainless steel, examines the disjunctions between humans and the natural world. The powerful, dynamically posed rampant bear that makes up the work forcefully symbolises the beauty, purity and strength of nature. As Akhavanjam says, ‘No one ever gets bored in nature, no matter how much time they spend there.’ Unfortunately, our incessant greed is disturbing the very essence of the ecosystems we claim to love and, according to Akhavanjam, here lies the very meaning of Natura.
Other editions of both Conflictus and Natura are currently on view in Venice for the duration of the Biennale.
