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Marisol Malatesta

Date of birth 16.Jan.76
Place of birth Lima-Peru
Country of residence United Kingdom
Contact marisolmala@hotmail.com

Jolly and sinister in just about equal measure, Marisol Malatesta’s artwork can often resemble the traditional Peruvian Ekeko dolls which were an inspiration for I’m Not Pregnant. Not only are Malatesta’s drawings and paintings characterized by an unpolished vibrancy typical of the South American dolls, with their wide-mouthed cartoonishness, but also many of the works bear a tangible connection with Peruvian folklore and antiquity. Indeed, the geometric designs present in several sketches directly invoke the ziggurats and ancient monuments of the Inca Empire.

Malatesta’s work references the disciplines of architecture and archaeology in its incorporation of the monumental and the mythic, but also examines the discourses of colonialism and phallocentrism which underpin them. Perhaps the simplest but also the most apposite description of the work comes from the artists herself – “cheerful characters in weird scenarios”.

Having inspired this show, it is only fitting that an Ekeko doll should form its key component. The main exhibition space is focused towards a new sculpture of a self-portrait Ekeko doll, Miss/fortune (Malatesta’s first significant work in this medium). The sculpture is surrounded by a number of sketches and paintings which are exhibited together here for the first time.

The smaller anteroom presents Malatesta’s smaller sketches and drawings, and is inspired by archival black rooms in museums. These pieces highlight the artist’s exploration of archaeology and invite the viewer to engage with her work as part of this ongoing dialogue.

Born in Peru, Marisol Malatesta completed her fine art MA at Byam Shaw in 2003. She has exhibited in shows around the UK, including Did You Feed the Duck? at Former Nylon Gallery in 2003 and Tertulia at the University of the Arts Gallery in 2005, and in Peru (Spinning Stories Project at the Forum Gallery in Lima). Malatesta was recently selected for the Jerwood Contemporary Painters Prize 2007, exhibiting in the Jerwood Space (London), The BayArt Gallery (Cardiff) and the Lowry (Manchester). She lives and works in London.

Exhibitions Marmite Prize Invite, 25.Nov - 30.Nov.08, Studio 1.1, Start Your Collection 2008!, 01.Aug - 20.Sep.08, Contemporary Art Projects, Poetic Licence, 13.Jun - 06.Jul.08, Crimes Town, Start Your Collection 2007!, 01.Aug - 30.Sep.07, Contemporary Art Projects, Jerwood Contemporary Painters, 15.Feb - 31.Mar.07, Jerwood Space, Summer exhibition 2006, 17.Aug - 03.Sep.06, Contemporary Art Projects

 

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