The paintings exhibited at JD Malat Gallery are reflections of what the artist describes as "playing with art history." These fragmented yet visually coherent compositions of vast interiors, sculptures, historical figures, and classical nudes blur, disconnect, and reshape before the viewer's eyes, critically engaging with the systemic power structures that Western art history has fortified, but which contemporary art must continuously challenge.
“Histories in Flux” presents twelve psychologically charged portraits, architectural depictions of estates, and cultural institutions that highlight key issues related to class, access, privacy, and consumption.
His grid-like fragmentations suggest an empirical reaction from the viewer, turning the once harmonious genre of chamber painting into a realm of architectural dissonance. As Kent states, “The perspective grid becomes a visual metaphor for the interconnectivity of how we construct our visual world and it’s influences across every level of existence.”
These obscured historic scene scapes challenge our understanding of history. Busts, portraits, monuments, museum spaces, and estates serve as vessels for thematic parallels deeply rooted in classism, elitism, and power dynamics. Through his portrayal of these traditional art historical archetypes, Kent exposes the controversial and often overlooked narratives woven into the fabric of art history’s canon.
Artist: Tim Kent
