Garden gnomes, exorcists of evil spirits, are considered to symbolise kitsch and bad taste. These naughty gnomes express many things. They talk about the mythological and real worlds. They also talk of inequality between social classes, which is reflected in a differentiated aesthetic taste, and about art categories defining what kitsch and what elite art is. Therefore, they have become an interest for active artists. The Hest Gallery invited some artists to paint or reshape ceramic garden gnomes following their own inspirations. Matjaž Andraž Vogrinčič and Roman Uranjek will then use these gnomes and organise an exhibition in front of the gallery in Maribor, which will then become a new work of art. These small fairy figures might be able to chase away some problems troubling art and artists.
Participating artists: Beti Bricelj, Petar Beus, Nikolaj Beer, Igor Banfi, Jože Ciuha, Peter Ciuha, Rajko Čuber, Sandi Červek, Barbara Demšar, Dušan Fišer, Klementina Golija, Lovro Inkret, Alenka Koderman, Aleksij Kobal, Bojana Križanec, Jiri Kočica, Miran Kreš, Gani Llalloshi, Jože Marinč, Matteo Massagrande, Natan, Arjan Pregl, Miha Perne, Ivo Prančič, Primož Pugelj, Nataša Ribič, Saba Skaberne, France Slana, Jur Samec,Brane Širca, Peter Štrovs, Jože Šubic, Ejti Štih, Viktor Šest, Klavdij Tutta, Žarko Vrezec, Franc Vozelj, Marij Vrenko, Boris Zaplatil, Damjana Stopar Štrovs, Jernej Mali.
Exhibition installation: Matej Andraž Vogrinčič, Roman Uranjek (Irwin)
Garden gnomes will ocupy the fasade of the Gallery Hest, therefore the exhibition will be on view 24/7!