Exploring “Querencia”: Rex Southwick’s Artistic Inquiry

North London-based artist Rex Southwick presents a selection of paintings from his recent series, “Querencia.” Through his highly saturated canvases, Southwick delves into themes of luxury, ownership, and aspiration, offering a thought-provoking exploration of the construction of idealized domestic environments.

Unveiling Hidden Truths

In “Querencia,” Southwick peels back the layers of digital imagery that inundate our online feeds, revealing the reality behind the glossy facades. His paintings depict lavish domestic spaces under construction, providing a glimpse into the laborious process of building and maintaining these aspirational environments. By sourcing images from building contractors and construction sites, Southwick confronts viewers with the often-overlooked labor that goes into creating these idealized spaces.

Obscured Identities and Unbelonging

Central to Southwick’s exploration is the deliberate obscuring of the identities of the workers who populate his paintings. By rendering them anonymous, he seeks to evoke a sense of displacement and unbelonging, despite their pivotal role as the creators and custodians of these spaces. Through this deliberate act of erasure, Southwick challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of luxury and ownership, highlighting the inherent inequalities embedded within our society.

A Synthesis of Form and Concept

Described as a “captivating yet chilling synthesis of form and concept,” Southwick’s paintings merge architectural precision with vibrant, expressive color. Through his meticulous attention to detail and confident technique, he deconstructs the digital sphere, interrogating contemporary motifs of desire and aspiration. Each brushstroke serves as a commentary on the intersection of physical and digital realms, inviting viewers to question the nature of representation in the modern age.

Conclusion: Provoking Thought and Reflection

“Querencia” invites viewers to confront the complexities of contemporary society and the constructed nature of our digital realities. Through his evocative paintings, Rex Southwick challenges us to reconsider our relationship with luxury, ownership, and aspiration, prompting thought and reflection on the hidden truths that lie beneath the surface of our idealized world. As we immerse ourselves in Southwick’s work, we are reminded of the power of art to provoke dialogue, inspire change, and challenge the status quo.