New York artist Adam Handler is holding his largest-ever solo exhibition at multidimensional premium art space Artelli at City of Dreams (COD) in Cotai.
The exhibition, which kicked off last Thursday entitled “Always Near You…Always”, features a collection of artwork specially crafted for this occasion.
Handler, alongside Forward Fashion Holdings and Artelli Chief Innovation Officer Linwood Lin, shared insights into the creative process and artistic philosophy behind the exhibition with the Post at the Artelli art space last week.
Themed “Love Heals”, the exhibition will run until April 23.
Love Heals
Handler’s artwork focuses on two main symbolic characters, the Ghosts and the Wide-eyed Girl, which he describes as “very simple” and drawn from his daily life. He explains, “I paint what I know, what I feel, and I paint my home, my life. I don’t seek inspiration from the outside world, but rather from within my own home.”
Known for his unique Kawaii Faux Naïf style, Handler combines whimsical and therapeutic elements using acrylic paint, oil stick, pencil, and markers, according to a statement on the Artelli website. Through his artwork, he shares a childlike perspective of his inner world, the statement notes.
“Faux naïf” (French for “falsely naïve”) denotes a literary or artistic style that pretends to be simple, childlike, or unsophisticated, according to Collins Dictionary. The Japanese noun “kawaii” denotes the quality of being cute, or items that are cute, according to Oxford Dictionary.
Handler said his inspiration of ghost paintings stems from his twenties, a time when he witnessed his grandparents ageing and eventually passing away. He said his experience led him to grapple with intense anxiety about death and loss, particularly the fear of losing loved ones. In response, Handler said, he sought ways to work through this anxiety by expressing his emotions through his art.
Describing his creative process as emotionally-driven, Handler explains, “I begin creating with little idea of what I’m going to do. I allow my emotions to guide me and keep my thoughts out of the equation.”
“I want my art to form a strong connection with those who view or collect it, as once it leaves the studio, it takes on a life of its own, living with somebody else,” Handler said. He encouraged art enthusiasts and collectors to acquire his paintings as part of their collections.
Not just an art space
In addition to traditional art displays, the exhibition showcases large-scale art installations that aim to create a more immersive visual experience. One notable feature is the impressive sculpture of the two major characters, Ghost and the Wide-eyed Girl, combined for the first time.
When discussing what makes Handler’s work intriguing, Lin commented, “I admire the childlike aesthetic of Adam’s creations and his innovative approach to collaborating on this exhibition with us.” This collaboration conveys Handler’s creative spirit and dedication to pushing boundaries in the art world, Lin remarked.
“Artelli aims to empower artists to create work that embodies the spirit of the city”, Lin emphasised, adding that the mission of Artelli is to provide a platform for both local and international artists to showcase their talents and contribute to the flourishing art scene. In addition to hosting exhibitions, Artelli would like to launch educational initiatives with art organisations and schools to make art more accessible to the public, Lin underlined.
“We want to create a museum-like art space for everyone to join without pressure.” Lin said.
As a brand rooted in Macau, Artelli is committed to working with local talent in all aspects of its operations. By collaborating with local curators, videographers, and writers, the art space not only promotes community involvement but also nurtures the growth of skilled professionals in the art industry, Lin pointed out.
Lin said she envisions Artelli as a catalyst for cultivating a thriving arts community in Macau and beyond.
One of Artelli’s goals is to establish Macau as a hub for art tourism, Lin said, adding that by offering unique artistic experiences and engaging activities, the art space hopes to attract travellers seeking cultural enrichment. This initiative not only promotes art appreciation but also boosts the city’s economy and enriches the overall visitor experience, Lin underlined.
Artelli is open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.artelli-meta.com/.
All the undated handout photos of Adam Handler and his artwork provided by Artelli last week.
