Zhivago Duncan
Embracing a variety of media such a painting, kinetic sculpture, and diorama, Zhivago Duncan's work comments on classical philosophy and contemporary socio-economic issues in a witty way. He works with the gritty aesthetic associated with graffiti culture and uses the street, both as his canvas and backdrop. He often presents dystopic visions of the world today and in the future, frequently commenting on the human relationship with machines. For example, in 2012 he invented a man-made remote controlled spray painting machine to create his canvases. Also, in 2011 Duncan created a fictional narrative about Dick Flash, the sole survivor of an environmental catastrophe that wiped out the rest of mankind. The character re-writes the history and religion of humanity through mechanical constructions that allude to mankind's previous, albeit temporary, domination over nature and the wilderness. “My practice gives me insight into humanity’s repetitive drive for survival and progressive thirst for knowledge,” says the artist.
Zhivago Duncan has had solo exhibitions at Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin and Frederick Snitzer Gallery in Miami. His work has been included in group exhibitions at Saatchi Gallery in London, The Barjeel Foundation in Sharjah, Von der Heydt-Museum in Wuppertal.
Courtesy of Contemporary Fine Arts
Embracing a variety of media such a painting, kinetic sculpture, and diorama, Zhivago Duncan's work comments on classical philosophy and contemporary socio-economic issues in a witty way. He works with the gritty aesthetic associated with graffiti culture and uses the street, both as his canvas and backdrop. He often presents dystopic visions of the world today and in the future, frequently commenting on the human relationship with machines. For example, in 2012 he invented a man-made remote controlled spray painting machine to create his canvases. Also, in 2011 Duncan created a fictional narrative about Dick Flash, the sole survivor of an environmental catastrophe that wiped out the rest of mankind. The character re-writes the history and religion of humanity through mechanical constructions that allude to mankind's previous, albeit temporary, domination over nature and the wilderness. “My practice gives me insight into humanity’s repetitive drive for survival and progressive thirst for knowledge,” says the artist.
Zhivago Duncan has had solo exhibitions at Contemporary Fine Arts in Berlin and Frederick Snitzer Gallery in Miami. His work has been included in group exhibitions at Saatchi Gallery in London, The Barjeel Foundation in Sharjah, Von der Heydt-Museum in Wuppertal.
Courtesy of Contemporary Fine Arts
Saatchi Collection, London, UK
Perez Art Museum, Miami, FL
Meem Gallery, Dubai, UAE
