Eske Rex’ art derives from a fascination of natural phenomenon. His works often have a dynamic character that interacts with the surrounding space. They are examining various factors like time, force, gravity and space. The primary materials are wood and metal, and in his work he aims for simplicity and logic. Yet, a certain kind of theatricality and drama is present through his directing of natural forces such as in the movement of the pendulums in his Drawing Machine, the contraction and pressure in his Tensioned Wood series or the magnetic attraction in his Measuring Space and Divided Self works.
In 2010, Eske Rex received the Danish Arts Foundation’s working grant and took part in the exhibition ‘Designers Investigating’ in Øksnehallen, which won an award from the Danish Arts Foundation. In 2011, he took part in MINDCRAFT11 in Milan and exhibited at the Triennale Design Museum, also in Milan. In 2013, he had his first solo show in Paris “Silent Action” in Galerie Maria Wettergren, who also exhibited his “Drawing Machine” in the Carrau du Temple during D’Days 2014. His works have been exhibited at the Design Miami/Basel and PAD Paris/London fairs since 2012.
Untitled (Tensioned wood)
2013
Ash, oak and metal
40 x 80 x 65 cm
Pièce unique
Untitled (Tensioned wood)
2013
Ash, oak and metal
40 x 80 x 65 cm
Pièce unique
Eske Rex’s works are carried both by a conceptual idea and by the materials and the craftsmanship. They examine the effects of force caused by tension between materials and space, in which they are overextended, stretched, split and placed on the verge of collapse. There are no stated explanations – all transfer of information happens on an aesthetic and sensuous level. The traces of craft and the at tention to materials sensuously combine the tangible and near with metaphysical, essential and universal matters. Simple and stylistic, they are cleaned and processed of excess elements in order to concentrate on experiencing the materials of which the works are made. For the same reason they give what can be referred to as a found poetic silence in their presence. In 2010, Eske Rex received the Danish Arts Foundation’s working grant and took part in the exhibition ‘Designers Investigating’ in Øksnehallen, which won an award from the Danish Arts Foundation. In 2011, he took part in MINDCRAFT11 in Milan and exhibited at the Triennale Design Museum, also in Milan, Italy. Eske Rex’ works have been exhibited worldwide, including 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa Japan; Den Frie, Copenhagen, Denmark; Verbeke Foundation, Belgium; MINDCRAFT 17, Milan, Italy; Chart Fair, Copenhagen, Denmark (Galerie Maria Wettergren). In 2015, Eske Rex created a monumental site-specific installation for the International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands.
