Matija Bobičić Balkan folklore on view in NYC

Alchemy Gallery (55 Delancey St. New York, NY 10002) presents “Folklore,” a solo exhibition of new works by Slovenian artist Matija Bobičić. “Folklore” will be on view at the gallery from April 6 through May 7, 2023.

Folklore, at its core, is a way of making sense of the world around us. Myths, legends, and traditional stories, we explore our deepest fears and desires, as well as our relationship with nature and the supernatural. The use of Balkan folklore in Matija Bobičić artwork speaks to this tradition, drawing on the region’s rich history and mythology to create a new narrative that reflects contemporary concerns.

At the same time, the use of sci-fi archetypes and pop-culture references track the ongoing evolution of folklore in the modern world.

Just as folklore has always drawn on the popular culture of its time, so too does Bobičić’s artwork reflect the influence of contemporary media and technology.

Bobičić often draws inspiration from the world of Warhammer 40k, a tabletop game and fictional universe. The Imperium of Man, a powerful human empire in this universe, serves as a metaphor for Western culture’s control and dominance in the Balkans. Drawing on the mythos of Warhammer 40k, he depicts these characters in a new light, infusing them with the symbolic meanings of animals such as wolves, often featured in Balkan folklore.

By weaving together these disparate elements, Matija Bobičić creates a powerful and thought-provoking work of art that invites viewers to engage with these themes, and to reflect on the complex interplay of history, mythology, and contemporary culture that shapes our world.

About the Artist:

Matija Bobičić (b.1987, Maribor SI) graduated in art education from the University of Maribor under the mentorship of painters Ludvik Pandur and Oto Rimele.

Bobičić’s work explores the intersections of science fiction, pop culture, and Balkan folklore, weaving together threads from the past, present, and future.

About the Gallery:

Alchemy is a process of creation and transformation; the evolution of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Alchemy Gallery’s mission is to celebrate that process artistically, by fostering the development of artists at all levels, in all mediums, and championing their art with the right audiences of quality collectors.

The Gallery’s 1000-square-feet footprint in New York’s Lower East Side gives art the room it needs to breathe and provides the optimal environment for collectors to discover, explore and acquire.

With its founders bringing a mature collectorship from their combined 25 years of art advisory, Alchemy Gallery is a young space with an established expertise and industry knowledge guiding it.