Force Majeure
an irresistible compulsion or greater force
15th February - 2 April, 2022
The Lodge is excited to present Force Majeure a group exhibition which opens on the 15th February, 2021. The exhibition includes five artists – Deborah Brown, Tierney Gearon, Beryl Odette, Scarlett Rouge and Tasya van Ree.
In French force majeure literally means “greater force”. It is related to the concept of an act of God. In legal terms it is a phrase used in commercial contracts to describe events possibly affecting a contract that are completely outside either parties' control such as a hurricane, fire or pandemic. In poetic terms the phrase is much more desirable - a divine act that is beyond human control - an irresistible compulsion. The curation of the exhibition is intended to sway between these two definitions- raising questions and rousing aesthetic inspiration. According to Investopedia (a legal and finance journal) currently it is being debated that the term force majeure should be redefined as “acts of god” have been so perverted by human intervention that a natural disaster is more than often no longer an act of god but the result of human behaviours.
The twelve works in the exhibition reflect on homo sapiens worship of gods, (that old question) one's own mortality and humans presence in their environment. With these five artists ever watchful eyes bringing our attention to the beauty and wistful nature of life.
Tierney Gearon's sumptuous large scale double exposure photographs bring discordant worlds together. In the juxtapositions Gearon brings to light, the effect we have on our environs and other human beings. Scarlett Rouge's mixed media panels (glitter, sequins on gesso canvas) are lusciously executed depictions of Roman and Aztec celebrations. Reminding the viewer of a time when humans worshipped gods rather than acted like them. Beryl Odette's visceral paintings of fireworks leave the viewer with a feeling of awe. Deborah Brown's paintings of her daily life remind us to appreciate the world around us- from the purple hue in shadows to a figurine on a shelf and Tasya van Ree's work is shamanic, taping into Mother Nature, coexisting with it and being at kin.
An art exhibition is not going to change the course of the world but it will perhaps inspire some personal reflection and bring hope and delight to its audience as we furiously spin on this spaceship - Earth.
