GABRIEL ISAK

THE BLUE JOURNEY

ENTITIES 

IN THE BLUE

INTO THE LIGHT

BLACK AND BLUE DIMENSIONS

MIND STATE

THE SHADOW AND THE SELF

OVER DE KUNSTENAAR / ABOUT THE ARTIST

Artist Statement

De kunst van Gabriel Isak omvat surrealistische en melancholische scènes waarin hij de kijker uitnodigt tot interactie met de innerlijke wereld van eenzame figuren die onze eigen onbewuste toestanden symboliseren. Hij gebruikt fotografie als medium om surrealistische beelden te tekenen en te schilderen, minimaal en grafisch in zijn esthetiek, rijk aan symboliek en emotie, waarbij hij zich concentreert op thema's geïnspireerd door de menselijke psychologie, dromen en romantiek. Isaks werk is een serene en melancholische meditatie die de chaos van het leven tot zwijgen brengt en transformeert in een introspectieve reis die de diepten van het bestaan ​​in vraag stelt. Het doel van de kunst van Gabriel Isak is om licht te werpen op de ervaringen van het zijn en de gemoedstoestanden die die met zich meebrengen. Zijn onderwerpen zijn anoniem met de geringste glimp van bewustzijn, gevangen in monochrome omgevingen en trachten verbinding te maken met de innerlijke werelden van de kijker, die hun eigen levensreizen weerspiegelen.

Gabriel Isak’s art entails surreal and melancholic scenes where he invites the viewer to interact with the inner world of solitary figures that symbolize our own unconscious states. He uses photography as a medium to draw and paint surreal images, minimal and graphic in its aesthetic, rich in symbolism and emotion, focusing on themes inspired by human psychology, dreams and romanticism. Isak’s work is a serene and melancholic meditation that stills the chaos of life and transforms into an introspective journey that questions the depths of existence. The objective of Gabriel Isak’s art is to shine a light on the experiences of being and the states of mind those brings along. His subjects are anonymous with the slightest glimmerings of consciousness, imprisoned in monochromatic settings, so the viewer can envision oneself as the subject, reflecting back on one’s own experiences and journey in life.

My process
My images can seem very minimal, but in-fact they take anywhere from weeks to months of planning and preparations before they come to life. My work first takes forms when I research or brainstorm on the project I want to create. I then sketch out my ideas with notes of how the image will come to life from my vision into reality. I will decide, location, weather, mood, colors, props, subject, outfit etc. before I photograph the image. Many times I have to travel to specific locations in the world to create my work in order to bring my vision into life. Once on location I create my images usually around sunrise/sunset in a limited time constrain, or in foggy weather. If I have to manipulate something I will shoot all the details on location to later merge them together digitally. Post-Production plays an important role to enhance my work into a more surreal and otherworldly atmosphere. I can spend anywhere from a few days here to weeks to create one single image.

The blue thread you see my work is used to depict a tranquil dimension, often relating it back to themes of dreams, serenity, peace, origins, existentialism and melancholia.

Selected Exhibitions

Gabriel Isak, Galerie 12, Los Angeles, March-June, 2023
Spectrum, Hunter Museum of American Art, November 2022
Gabriel Isak, Galerie 12, Shanghai, September-November, 2021
Into the Blue, Gallery deBernardo, Stockholm, February - March, 2020
Selection from the Roster, Soren Christensen Gallery, February, 2020
Off Color & Form, Sorensen Christensen Gallery, December, 2019
Generating Perspective, .M Contemporary, Sydney, 12-30 November, 2019
Out from the Mist, Arts Centre Melbourne, October, 2019
Unfuck our Rainforests, 71aLondon Gallery, London, 30 October, 2019
Out from the Mist, Frank Moran Gallery, Brisbane, October, 2019
International Photo Expo, ImageNation, Voies Off, Arles, July, 2019
International Photo Expo, ImageNation, Galerie Joseph Saint Martin, Paris, November, 2018
"Culture Pop", .M Contemporary, Sydney, October, 2018
Stockholm Affordable Art Fair, Momentum Fine Art Gallery, October, 2018
Fujifilm Wondershop, New York, September, 2018
San Francisco Bay International Photo Show, ACCI Gallery, September, 2018
.M Contemporary, Sydney, May-Oct, 2018
Month of Photography, Los Angeles, April, 2018
Last Rites Gallery, New York, January-February, 2017
Museum of Modern Art, Stockholm, October-December, 2016
Jackson Place, San Francisco, October-December, 2016
The Cannery Gallery, San Francisco, September-October, 2016
Academy of Art Annual Spring Show, San Francisco, May-June, 2016
SOMArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, April, 2016
RAW Artists, San Francisco, January, 2016
Momentum Fine Art Gallery, Miami, 2016
Catch Gallery, Paris, 2015