Murmur is pleased to announce its first duo exhibition, Sculpting Surfaces, at firma Brussels. The exhibition features a curated selection of works by the two Brussels-based artists Charlotte Stuby and João Freitas.

Both artists have a unique approach to exploring and reconstructing materials. Charlotte uses fabric and threads as a medium for storytelling, while João transforms materials he finds into new realities. They breathe new life and meaning into the materials they work with, introducing new significance that transcends their typical properties and original purpose. By adding or removing layers and altering or shaping the texture, the artists achieve depth in their works. Despite working with entirely different media, their works are subtly intertwined as they both manipulate the surfaces of their materials in distinct ways.

 

Charlotte Stuby (b. Vevey, 1989) creates narrative textile installations which explore the multifaceted possibilities of using textile as a medium, both materially and symbolically. In her most recent works titled Safrane, Vesta and Gambio, Charlotte adeptly combines assorted fabric scraps through sewing, embroidery and quilting techniques, shaping them into a vibrant whole. The artist is often captivated by the intriguing pre-cut shapes of these scraps, choosing to seamlessly merge them to forge new monochrome or colorful assemblages. Working with bright and bold colors that create vivid contrasts comes naturally to her. Through her embroideries she sculpts enigmatic and organic forms inviting us to contemplate the interplay of colors and patterns.

 

João Freitas (b. Coimbra, 1989) mainly uses materials that he finds on the street, at construction sites or when travelling, including found paper, foam pads, reflective insulation or Tetra Pak protective cardboard. By scratching, peeling, dissolving or heating the surfaces of these materials he deprives them of their function, reveals their hidden side and gives a new meaning to them. The process he chooses varies depending on the composition of the material. These forgotten and later transformed materials are presented to a public that would normally not notice them. For one of the series presented, found blotting paper is used as the starting point. By scratching the surface with an etching needle the texture then turns cloudy. For his Tetra Pak works the artist heated the outer layer with a blowtorch inviting us to immerse ourselves into an unknown landscape.

 

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Practical information

When
Opening night on Thursday 30 November, 17h - 21h
Visiting hours: 1 December – 21 December, open from Monday to Friday, 9h - 17h
 

Where
firma, Rue Locquenghien 35,
1000 Brussels, Belgium