Artist: Kateryna Orlova-Guzova

Artwork: „Colors of the Sky“

40x40cm

Acrylic painting on canvas

Kateryna Orlova-Guzova

Bratislava, 2024

Kateryna on Facebook

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Tayla Myree

Artwork: „In Your Archives“ (2024) Video, Installation, collection of secondhand market items.

*Trigger Warning*

This work exposes racist depictions of Black people found in Austrian fleamarkets, Antique and thrift stores in order to critique them but some may still find this triggering.

Work Description: In Your Archives is an ongoing work that interrogates the representation of Blackness in Austrian material culture ranging from antiques, literature, music, public space, artwork, and other areas. It delves into the Austrian imaginary and questions how Black people, more specifically, how the perceptions of Black people have been personified and its material impact on how Black people are treated in Austrian society. It has been claimed that Austria has no Black history to grapple with, nor has had a physical presence of Black people within its borders historically (both untrue claims), however Black people exist throughout varying aspects of the Austrian imaginary – if there are no Black people, why are we in your imagination? 

Artist Biography: Tayla Myree is a visual artist and historian based in Vienna, Austria. Her work deals with the politics of memory and identity primarily in relation to Blackness as well as other marginalized identities. She explores these topics through the mediums of film, photography, prose, and sound. Tayla currently holds a Masters Degree in Comparative History from Central European University and is currently a part of the Video and Video Installation Studio at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Ariella Bowen

Artwork: “A building by Devin castle”

About the artwork: This is a pen and watercolor painting using of a interesting looking building and part of Devin Castle’s wall . We decided to pick this because we both saw and enjoyed the look of this Castle so nearby us.  Both me and my mentor Ogla, Drew out then painted the similar scene and I was given lots of advice on what should be shaded and what the eye should be drawn to, and how to do that. Castles in colorful houses were very interesting for me to draw because of the textures and the use of a new resource like watercolor. The most difficult thing to learn for me was shading and proportions of the buildings.

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Olga Belaya

Artwork: ”Dürnstein”

About the artwork: While visiting Dürnstein I asked if we could check the view of the town from the other side of the Danube. So we went to look for the view and found it. After some time that trip became an inspiration for this artwork

About the artist: “I love painting and drawing since I was a child. Currently my favorite artistic material is watercolor, though I’m open to experimenting with other techniques. I find inspiration for my artworks i, dynamic of city life and harmonious mix of urban landscapes with nature. On sunny days you can often find me sketching outside. And whenever I travel I always take my sketchbook with me, art is my way of capturing the feeling of different places I visit”

Instagram: @watercolor_town

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Merit Hanna

Artwork:

“Learning process; Animal”

“A space to try; Textiles”

About the artwork: “when we have the space to try, we learn more about our potentials, and we learn more about ourselves and who we are“

Email : Mail to Merit Hanna

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Francesca Badea

Artwork: “Weird Animals”

“I started painting this collection after realizing my dream of having an art career was dead. I felt crushed and alone, with no hope for the future. How could I let go of my biggest dream of being recognized as an artist? I cried every single day, trying to move on after what happened. I started painting self-portraits in the mirror while I was crying. It was such a painful experience for me, and I still haven’t been able to completely heal and move on.

Being a famous artist was my biggest dream since I was a small child. Art is my biggest passion and I never thought I wouldn’t achieve my dream. A few months passed and slowly, after living my sadness, I managed to move from painting painful portraits to joyful animals. Animals and characters that live, breathe and celebrate life, with all its ups and downs.

This exhibition is a representation of my journey, from deep darkness to moving on into a better state.

Instagram: Francesca Badea

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Alba Hurtado

Artwork:

„Point of view“, it’s all in how you see things, (oil on canvas 50×50 cm)) 

„Self-faced“, getting to know me, (oil on canvas, 40×50 cm)

hello! I’m Alba Hurtado, a former fashion designer who transitioned into a social media content creator. Originally from Mexico, I discovered that my true passion lies in creating and sharing. Throughout my career, I’ve found a unique way to combine my love for fashion with my desire to explore the world. traveling has always been a great inspiration for me, and while exploring new places, I rediscovered my love for art, especially through techniques like oil and watercolor. After graduating, I had the opportunity to work as a professor at the university where I studied. this experience taught me the gratification of teaching and sharing knowledge with others.

However, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to digital teaching, I discovered a new passion for creating content through videos and tutorials. thus, my YouTube channel was born, where I share my experience in fashion design, weaving techniques, painting and travel tips. My life philosophy is based on following my passion and believing that everything happens for a reason. I firmly believe in saying „yes“ to new opportunities, as they can always lead you to unexpected and exciting places. When I’m not creating content or teaching, you can find me exploring new destinations, immersing myself in different cultures, and learning new things. I love sharing my knowledge with others, while continuing to explore and grow personally and professionally.

This is my incredible journey!

Instagram Alba Hurtado

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artists: Esmail Sultani & Farila Neshat

Artwork: “Wortschatz(-reservat) (2024)”

Visitors are encouraged to interactive with this artwork by putting their thoughts on paper and placing them into the silo. Others can then fish anonymous thoughts out of the silo and take part in the exchange of ideas.

Besucher werden ermutigt, interaktiv trainiert, indem sie ihre Gedanken auf Papier bringen und in den analogen Speicherplatz werfen. Andere können dann anonyme Gedanken aus dem Silo herausfischen und an den Gedankenaustausch teilnehmen.

Über Jahrtausende hinweg haben Menschen weltweit, einschließlich in Afghanistan und anderen Regionen, auf Silo-Speicherplätze zurückgegriffen, um ihre Nahrungsmittel sicher aufzubewahren. Diese traditionellen Lagerstätten sind von entscheidender Bedeutung für ländliche Gemeinschaften, insbesondere für die Lagerung von Getreide, und spielen eine unersetzliche Rolle in Bezug auf die Ernährungssicherheit. Diese Silos sind sowohl nachhaltig als auch kostengünstig in der Herstellung und bieten eine verbesserte Lagermöglichkeit für Getreide und andere Lebensmittel. Ihre Bauweise schützt die Vorräte vor Schädlingen, Feuchtigkeit und anderen Umwelteinflüssen, was die Haltbarkeit und Qualität der gelagerten Lebensmittel erhöht. In einem faszinierenden Austausch zwischen Vergangenheit und Zukunft entsteht eine inspirierende Symbiose, die das traditionelle Handwerk mit modernen Konzepten des Speicherplatzes vereint. Die Schaffung eines analogen Speicherplatzes, kunstvoll geschmückt mit traditionellen afghanischen Ornamenten, dient als Verbindung zwischen beiden Zeiten. Die bewusste Wahl, Gedanken und Ideen auf Papier statt auf einem Bildschirm festzuhalten, unterstreicht den Dialog zwischen dem Analogen und dem Digitalen. Diese bewusste Materialisierung ermutigt die Betrachter, sich von der ständigen Digitalisierung zu lösen und eine Verbindung zum Wesentlichen herzustellen. Durch die Zusammenführung von traditionellem Handwerk und modernen Konzepten entsteht ein künstlerischer Raum für Reflexion, Dialog und Wertschätzung. Die Skulptur schließt mit einem Blick in die Zukunft der Lebensmittellagerung. Besucher können Einblicke gewinnen, die darauf abzielen, die Effizienz und Nachhaltigkeit der Lebensmittellagerung weiter zu verbessern. Dies kann Diskussionen über Themen wie intelligente Lagerung, nachhaltige Materialien und innovative Designs einschließen.

Esmail Sultani

Ich komme aus Afghanistan seit 2015 bin ich in Österreich,  bevor ich nach Österreich komme war ich im Iran dort habe ich als Holzschnitzer gearbeitet.

Auch in Österreich habe ich einer Lehre als Maler gemacht und auch mit Leim gearbeitet. 

Farila Neshat

Instagram: farila.neshat

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

artist: Katherine Duque Leon

Artwork:  „Rotten“  and „Free“ 

I started my journey as an artist when I was 16 years old, most of my artworks have been burned or thrown away, because I started to paint as a sort of self therapy. When I became 21 years old I was told that I have talent so I started to save some of those artworks and sometimes I share them on social networks. What I want to show with my art is feelings, I want the audience to feel what I paint, either anger, happiness, love, etc.

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.

Artist: Sedra Hamami

Artwork: „18“, „Untitled“

“18”

‫I don’t know what’s wrong with me..

I am afflicted with the curse of coldness and lack of interest, angry calm or perhaps quiet depression, a contradictory feeling… a deep sadness prevails in my heart, I just want to sleep! Very scattered thinking, no calm in my world, a severe headache tearing apart the cells in my head, I get angry quickly, I get sad quickly, a hard heart and an indifferent mind, I run away from everyone who approaches and search for a way to leave this world or perhaps change it! I look at myself, and a painful, lonely story appears before me, containing no words or letters! Rather, it speaks with the sound of colors, shapes, and even lines, but tell me..

How do I go through it when all the colors of life are reduced to black in my eyes?

“Untitled”

My soul is back..

She was stuck in the middle again, between being uprooted from my body and remaining holding on to the last lifeline.

Everything came back to me

Except myself

„FRUIT, SEEDS“

„fruit, seeds“ is a multimedia group exhibition by which the artists intentionally locate and expose themselves and their works in the between, the “still fi guring out” and the (un)becoming – a process which requires constant watering, so as to reap what is sown.

curated by: Tonica Hunter

“fruit, seeds” takes place in the framework of the Avalon Mentoring programme, which brings together emerging young artists with established artists and mentors in the cities of Vienna and Bratislava. AVALON is an Erasmus+ Project that Fremde werden Freunde is implementing together with the Bratislava Policy Institute.