On February 1, 2024, a new solo exhibition of works by the Icelandic artist Georg Óskar will open at JD Malat Gallery in London. Óskar’s evocative oil paintings will put you in the mindset of a first-time parent looking for solace after a long, saturated day. Good Night Moon is a collection of oil paintings born out of the artist’s need to process the emotional rollercoaster that parenthood brought into his life. Each piece explores a slightly different side of the complex experience, be it sleep deprivation, physical and mental exhaustion, or the simple joy of spending time with your loved ones.
New Exhibition by the Icelandic Artist Georg Óskar at JD Malat Gallery
The universe of Georg Óskar’s paintings exists between reality and the dream state. Echoing the theme of insomnia, Good Night Moon consists of depictions of daily life situations de-familiarized through the semi-translucent hypnagogic lens. Bits and parts of the mundane are deconstructed to the point of becoming unrecognizable and then reassembled again in an ordered chaos. Óskar’s expressive language is amplified by the use of thick oil strokes and cold wax, which together create depth and add texture and complexity to seemingly naive imagery. Inscriptions, reminiscent of Basquiat, let the viewer in on the artist’s inside world and provide an ironic but raw commentary on life, the creative process, and the artwork itself.
The abandonment and disruption of old routines or the establishment and acclimatization to new ones play a big role in the narrative of Good Night Moon. Getting accustomed to changes, be it a different sleep schedule or the appearance of a new tiny human in your life, can be painful. Óskar, who sees his art studio as a place of solace and meditation, pours out his emotions on the surface of a canvas.
The art of Georg Óskar is filled with both child-like innocence and an awareness of the world and its darkness. His art is raw and unfiltered, which makes watching the retrospective interpretation of his first-time encounter with fatherhood especially enticing. Residents and visitors of London will get an opportunity to see the works by the talented Icelandic artist in person at JD Malat Gallery, starting February 1 through March 2, 2024. Good Night Moon is a truly incredible exhibition, and we highly recommend that you visit it if you have a chance.
