Ama Gallery, Helsinki, 2024
He is building a following around himself. Without effort, instinctively he finds people’s soft spots, fears and needs, in which he implants an illusion of togetherness and affection. He is exciting and mysterious. He is creating a system that brings more and more acceptance and worship to him.
I paint a still life by observing the subject I have made of waste material. The times of year and day – the changes in the nature of light – give a rhythm to my work. I feel the plastic fruit and musty velvet. I weave randomness and vague memories into scenes that embody a sense of not belonging, inequality and fear but also compassion and hope. The distinction between fake and reality is vague.
I am standing in a circle with my eyes closed. Here and there I can hear whispering in languages I don’t understand. Somewhere someone is crying or perhaps laughing. I hear a couple of assistants sneaking up behind me, ready to catch me so that I don’t hit my head when I fall. When it’s my turn, he comes to me and says a few words so quietly that only I can hear them. He doesn’t touch me, but I can feel the warmth of his hand on my forehead.
