Emanuel de Carvalho: transfer / new state
transfer / new state, the debut solo presentation of Portuguese-Canadian artist Emanuel de Carvalho in Seoul comprises three large-scale paintings, two sculptural paintings and a site-specific installation with a newly-composed sound piece, the exhibition presents a new body of work that explores societal norms enforced by institutional spaces, revealing the complexities of our contemporary reality. transfer / new state invites the viewer to question the institutional structures that surround us and reflect on the hierarchies of power that shape our views and identities.
Emanuel De Carvalho draws inspiration from his academic background in neuro-ophthalmic visual processing studies and fictional writing. His work explores the intersections between bodies, objects, space, and structures of power, referencing the “new state”, an allusion to “Estado Novo”, the past authoritarian regime in Portugal (1933 – 1974). The artist reflects on this era and historical Portuguese narratives through a personal lens, deconstructing societal norms and perceptions.
Guided by the belief that our perceptions are acquired constructs that can be analysed and shifted, De Carvalho creates work in which the backdrop carries the same importance as the subjects. Three monochromatic oil-painted backgrounds depict institutional spaces that condition one´s behaviour. interregna 1 presents a frontal view of a lobby featuring a framed wall artwork depicting plants and a door that leads to another space situated beyond the viewer´s gaze. interregna 2 offers a close-up view of a waiting area. Here, an off-centered framed artwork above the seats depicts a person that appears to be reflecting, their hopeful gaze directed away from the viewer. In the third painting, neurotanz, the focus shifts to a dark and empty setting of a row of chairs which on closer inspection is revealed as a university lecture hall. Here, apprehensive feelings are juxtaposed by the the embracing pose of four dancer figures, appearing as if they are posing for a photograph, having just performed.
The diptych and elongated sculptural painting with steel and silicone present close-ups from both animate and inanimate entities, confined to a claustrophobic existence on canvas by the steel bar frame. In controlo, the shape of the frame references logos usually seen in corporations, while drawing an association with automation and machinery. On the other hand, neurosystem 2 is an intricate study delving into the fundamental mechanisms that underlie human perception.
A diagonal aluminium wall disrupts the architecture of the gallery space. Integrated speakers emit I/E, a sound piece created in collaboration with Ivo Pacheco. A state of tension is maintained by sounds that appears to simultaneously ascend and descend in pitch. De Carvalho and Pacheco incorporate an acoustic phenomenon, known as the Laurel-Yanni illusion, where different people hear either the word “Laurel” or “Yanni” when listening to the clip. In this way, I/E disrupts our perceptive responses, prompting us to reevaluate and question our reality.
Emanuel de Carvalho is a Portuguese-Canadian visual artist. He holds an MA degree in Fine Art Painting from The Royal College of Art in London and a Doctorate Degree (PhD) in Medicine from the University of Amsterdam. He has completed postgraduate studies in neuro-ophthalmology at University College London and in painting at Turps Art School in London. He lives and works in London. His work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at Gathering, London (2023 and upcoming solo in 2024): Guts Gallery, London (2022, solo); Gallery Vacancy, Shanghai (2022); The Sunday Painter, London (2022); Grove, Berlin (2022); V.O. Curations, London (2022) and Osnova, London and Moscow (2021). De Carvalho has been shortlisted for the Abbey Fellowship Programme at The British School at Rome and is a recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation award (2022 - 2023).
Following his solo presentation at Duarte Sequeira Dosan, Emanuel de Carvalho will participate in the gallery ́s group presentation at KIAF Seoul, opening September 6, 2023.
Text by Despoina Tzanou
