Alke Schmidt
California Dreamin’ Ii
London, United Kingdom
Alke’s art practice is an ongoing exploration of the subversive potential of art’s aesthetic dimension. A mixed media artist working mainly with painting and found textiles, images and objects, she creates seductively beautiful paintings to convey challenging themes that centre on social and environmental justice. Recent work has been inspired by the financial crisis, climate change and the greed of big business; past themes included the erosion of human rights in the “war on terror”, post consumer garbage, and cultural politics in her local community. Alke shows with the Signal Gallery in London; as well as, undertaking independent projects with galleries, curators and non-art organizations. Her work is in private and public collections in Europe, the US and Australia. Alke is an MA graduate of London Guildhall University.
www.alkeschmidt.com
“The project appealed to me because of its environmental focus and creative use of reclaimed garbage; this fits right in with my own art practice. In fact, when Landfillart invited me to take part, I already had a pile of found hubcaps in my studio, waiting to be transformed. So, this was obviously meant to happen. I also like the transboundary aspect of the project, having hubcaps coming in from all over the world. I feel there are way too many cars, which creates all sorts of environmental and social problems, but I also love the shapes of hubcaps.”Alke Schmidt