Marcus Soddano

Solo exhibition by Marcus Soddano

Exhibition opening

August 22

17:00 - 20:00

Høyersten Contemporary is proud to present Begge sider av himmelen (Both Sides of the Sky), a new solo exhibition by Norwegian artist Marcus Soddano.

Soddano works in a figurative and expressive manner, and the images are serial in terms of motif, strong in color and rich in contrast. The motifs have references to various cultural canons and well-known art historical motifs, where he likes to delve into iconographic traditions and religious attributes. There is a distinctive vitality and power in the images, which clearly points to the preceding artistic and artisanal process. Facing these works, you not only meet the motives for Soddano's gaze and curiosity, but also the creative and searching man Soddano. In that sense, it is a very personal expression. It is also a very strong and convincing exhibition, and makes visible an artistry in strong development and maturation.

As the title suggests, the exhibition is based on humanity's inherent duality. Soddano's latest motifs depict birds and felines, which are both natural counterparts and enemies, but also mythological and symbolically different. This duality is pervasive in everything from mythologies and religions, fairy tales, novels and pop cultural expressions. With this as a starting point, Soddano explores the ideas of good, light and free versus evil, dark and unfree.

Marcus Soddano (b. 1997, South Korea) lives and works in Bergen, Norway. He has studied graphic design at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences and art at Bergen Art School. Soddano has had a number of solo and group exhibitions in Norway and Denmark.

The exhibition features new paintings and works on paper. The exhibition is Soddano's second solo exhibition at the gallery.

About Marcus Soddano

Marcus Soddano, born in South-Korea, is a Norwegian artist who lives and works in Bergen, Norway. He mostly works with painting and drawing, using various materials and techniques such as oil and acrylic paint, spray paint, permanent marker, and embroidery.

While humorous and playful, Soddano's works investigate a deeper layer of history, provenance, ancestry, and mythology. He mixes Western and East Asian expressions and cultural references; ranging from mythological and spiritual creatures, over cartoon characters, to lower-back tattoos. This clash between the playful and the intellectual manifests an edginess with references to fashion, music, urban street culture, and art history. Soddano's visual language clearly echoes the cultural and social backdrop of his generation.

Soddano has studied graphic design at Fagskolen Kristiana and art at Bergen Art School (KIB). Although early in his career, Sodanno has had both solo and group exhibitions.