THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD OPENING RECEPTION: SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 7–11 PM DOORS MAR 20 – APR 16, 2016, TUE-SAT 1-6 PM SADE GALLERY LA / 204 SOUTH AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 323 576 2562 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / [email protected] / IG @SADE_LA

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Press Release

In the strictest sense of the word, Thomas Øvlisen is an artist. By virtue of fidelity to the human experience, his work is difficult to classify. The pieces on view are at once paintings, and painted objects. His work deals with abstraction as a ubiquitous symbol of western culture, not as a self referential painting technique. “Abstraction is everywhere”, he says, “from a mousepad you buy at Target, to a discarded coffee cup lid”. He relates to abstraction as the commodified aesthetic of contemporary life, and therefore his pieces have an incidental, rather than a deliberate abstract sensibility. Although poignantly simple, they accomplish the enormous task of critiquing the narrative of contemporary production, while existing within it, and advancing it forward. At first glance, the pieces appear comfortably within an established visual rhetoric. Comfortably so, because he does not attempt to escape the language of the world we live in, instead he subtly and gracefully subverts it from inside out. For anyone who has reacted against the lone hallowed White Man gloriously asserting his existence through an act of intuitive abstraction, Øvlisen’s art moves abstraction in a refreshing, and welcome new direction. With KNUD he takes the very concept of abstraction away from its elitist singular identity and reminds us of its reality as the common visual language which belongs to everyone. He removes the hand of the artist, opting for widely used utilitarian, and functional, methods of production like auto body paint, fiberglass, and industrial expansion foam. His work is tributary, not in the art historical sense of deliberately paying homage, but in that it seeks to acknowledge and serve as evidence of the steps it took to create it. In an advancement of his previous work, KNUD allows the viewer access and invites them to participate in the process of creating the true meaning of the work. This represents a breakdown of the idea that the ultimate drive of the artist is to create one great masterpiece. The viewer is struck by the counter intuitive generosity inherent in Øvlisen’s pieces. He moves from singular works to smaller pieces arranged in a cluster, or constellation, that can literally be broken down into different combinations as to suit the needs of the viewer. There is a respect for both the viewer, and for the sculptures, as 3D paintings themselves, and what they present in the work. Øvlisen creates a sense of equality with the viewer by giving up control of the work, and by allowing, and encouraging, them to reimagine the piece in alternate arrangements. He likewise thusly, surrenders control of the physical piece. The art transcends the hand that materializes it. In Øvlisen’s work we get the sense of the artist as a medium that gives expression to an object, another link in a chain towards the ultimate articulation of the piece. This humanity and humility is what makes Øvlisen’s work so refreshing and compelling in the often cold, elite world of abstract art. Despite ostensible similarities to other artists, it is far in contrast to the isolated shriek of expression in an empty universe that we are used to. The work deftly accommodates the personal within the collective experience. As welcoming and giving as the work is, it is never anonymous, nor does it seek to erase the role of the artist. Absent is the hypocrisy of many artists for whom erasure of identity becomes an identity unto itself, instead Øvlisen joyfully embraces his personal memories and history. KNUD takes its name from his grandfather Knud, who was in his thoughts as he created the pieces. Other examples from his previous work include a show titled Jørgen Larsen, Taarbæk after his fascinating, yet otherwise anonymous neighbor. Viewing the work, we move beyond the previous generation’s idea of making the personal universal as a deliberate construct. This is not Tracy Emin’s teeth enshrined for all time in the Tate. This is a testament to a childhood universal, and a collective memory, because it materialized out of genuine human experience, and therefore can be nothing else.   — Mercedes Kilmer SADE LA is proud to present “KNUD”, the first Los Angeles solo exhibition of Danish artist Thomas Øvlisen, with an opening reception on Sunday, March 20, 2016, from 7–11pm. Thomas Øvlisen’s “KNUD” will be on view at SADE, 204 South Avenue 19, Los Angeles, CA, 90031, from March 20, 2016 until April 16, 2016. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 1–6pm, and by appointment. For further information, please contact [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD BIOGRAPHY Lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark. Education 2001 BFA, Rhode Island School of Design 1995 Kreativ Basis, Reklameskolen, Copenhagen, Dk 1994 Studentereksamen, Holte Gymnasium. Holte, Dk Solo Exhibitions 2016 Knud, Sade LA, Los Angeles, CA 2015 New Decks, Street Machine, Copenhagen, Denmark 2014 Jørgen Larsen, Taarbæk, Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, New York, NY 2013 Grazing Blitz, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2012 Tomato, Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery, New York, NY 2011 Jesus Christ Get Off My Back, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2009 (Perfect) Invisible for Ever Changing, Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, Brooklyn, NY 2008 Uprock, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2006 Nothing Stays the Same, Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, 2005 Void, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2003 Stuff, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark Group Exhibitions 2016 New Thoughts. New Visions, Hearst Corporation, New York, NY 2015 13, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2014 Heerup in the Middle, Viborg Kunsthal, Viborg, Denmark 2013 Heerup in the Middle, Heerup Museum, Rodvore, Denmark 2013 Xstraction, The Hole, New York 2012 Secret Garden, Gammel Holtegård Museum, Denmark 2012 The Quality of Presence, curated by Dmitry Komis, Chelsea Hotel, New York 2011 Insurgencies, curated by Shane Bradford & Peter Lamb 2011 OneShot, Kunstpakhuset, Ikast, Denmark 2011 Status- Somewhere Between Position and Condition, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Denmark 2010 Weight Perception, curated by Andrew Schoultz, Guerrero Gallery, San Francisco, CA 2007 Paper Trails, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Dk 2006 There is U in Us, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Dk 2006 CRG Gallery Presents: Klaus Von Nichtssagend Gallery, New York 2005 Diesel New Art 2005, Gallery Edition, Copenhagen, Dk (jury selection from Diesel New Art competition 2005) 2005 framed, V1 gallery + turbine hallerne, copenhagen, Dk 2005 Gallerie Asbaek Summer Show, Gallerie Asbaek, Copenhagen, Dk 2004 V1 Group Show, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Dk 2003 Jules Show, Gallerie Asbaek, Copenhagen, Dk 2002 Group Show, Centro Cultural Andratx, Mallorca 2002 Winter Landscapes, Riget Gallery, Copenhagen, Dk Bibliography 2014 Dalmagas, Rachel, Art of The childhood memory, Zing Magazine, August, 2014 2013 Johnson, Ken, Xstraction, New York Times, June 7, 2013 2012 Asfour, Nana. Thomas Ovlisen, “Tomato”, Time Out NY, February 14, 2012 2012 Zhu, B. Thomas Ovlisen at Klaus von Nichtssagend, Continuum, January 30th, 2012 2006 Smith, Roberta, CRG Presents: Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery’, New York Times, July 14, 2006 Publications 2006 Dansk Kunst 2006, Forlaget Skriver, Copenhagen, Dk 2005 Void, Catalogue, V1 Gallery, Copenhagen, Dk 2005 Diesel New Art 2005, Catalogue, Copenhagen, Dk 2005 “The 50 most Important Living Artists of Denmark”, Magasinet Kunst, Dk 2003 “The Un Declaration of Human Rights��� Aschenboug, Copenhagen, Dk 2000 “You Don’t Have to Like the Art . . .” Novo, Copenhagen, Dk Corporate Collections 2005 Novo A/S, Bagsvaerd, Dk 2004 PriceWaterHouseCoopers, Hellerup, Dk 2003 Haldor Topsaee A/S, Lyngby, Dk 2003 Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Dk 2000 Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Dk 1998 Damgaerd Data(now Microsoft), Copenhagen, Dk Awards 2001 Andrew Mellon Fellowship, The Museum of the Rhode Island Schoold of Design

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD /// INSTALLATION VIEWS

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD /// INSTALLATION VIEWS

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD /// INSTALLATION VIEWS

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Day Dreamer (Side A), 2016 Auto Lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polystyrene Dimensions 97” x 23.5” (245x60cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Day Dreamer (Side B), 2016 Auto Lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polystyrene Dimensions 97” x 23.5” (245x60cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Day Dreamer, 2016 Detail

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Eternally Grateful, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 22.5” x 43.5” (55x110cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Eternally Grateful, 2016 Detail

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Huhtamaki (Constellation of 99), 2016 Auto lacquer, bondo, Pete Plastic Individual Dimensions Vary (47" x 97", 120x245cm) Pieces available individually by commission.

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Huhtamaki, 2016 Detail

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Huhtamaki, 2016 Detail

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Blue Skies, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 13.25” x 23.5” (33.7x60cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Blue Skies, 2016 Detail

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Green Fields, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 47" x 49" x 23.5” (120x125x60cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Green Fields, 2016 Detail

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Looking Back, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions vary, 23.5” x 23.5” (60x60cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Looking Back, 2016 Detail

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #6, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 12.5” x 4" (31x10cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #7, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 9” x 4" (25x10cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #8, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 11.25” x 4" (30x10cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #9, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 11” x 4" (28x10cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #10, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 5.5” x 2" (13x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #11, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 7.5” x 2" (18x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #12, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 6” x 2" (15x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #13, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 8.5” x 2" (20x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #14, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 6” x 2" (15x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #15, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 5.25” x 3.25” (12x8cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #16, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 8.5” x 2" (20x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #17, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 9” x 2" (22x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #18, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 7” x 2" (17x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #19, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 6” x 2" (15x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]

THOMAS ØVLISEN /// KNUD

Pete Vase #20, 2016 Auto lacquer, Fabric, Epoxy, Polysterene Dimensions 7” x 2" (17x5cm)

SADE / 204 S AVENUE 19 / LA / CA / 90031 / WWW.S-A-D-E.LA / 323 576 2562 / [email protected]