Andrej Dúbravský

GOOD BOY

The exhibition GOOD BOY by Andrej Dúbravský reflects on the theme of beauty in art, both from a historical perspective and through the lens of contemporary times. We live in an era where the rhetoric of fitness lifestyle, stereotypes of perfect appearance, and fat-shaming on social media mix with the body positivity movement and plus-size campaigns of global fashion brands. As a society, we find ourselves in a time when we are obsessed with our own bodies and the urge to publicly present them, yet we also experience a traumatizing sense of powerlessness from the unauthorized entry into our intimate space.

The paradox of the present is further compounded by the historical context of conflicting tabooization and bold depiction of the "forbidden" At the center of Dúbravský's exhibition, there is an imaginary reminder of the famous scene of The Swing by Fragonard. The attentive eye of the viewer in the intricate romantic scenery of this rococo masterpiece will perceive the strong emotions of the main character. Indulging in a moment of visual delight carries no shame, but rather an invitation to playfulness. The exhibition is also complemented by ecologically themed artworks, inspired by natural motifs that surround the artist at his rural homestead in southwestern Slovakia.

Andrej Dúbravský is one of the most prominent representatives of the contemporary Slovak art scene. In his work, he focuses on depicting male bodies and erotic scenes, stylized self-portraits, and rural landscapes. He graduated in Painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava. He has had a number of exhibitions in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but has also had successful projects abroad, such as in the prestigious Berlin gallery DITTRICH & SCHLECHTRIEM.

Curators: Mira Macík, Erika Kovačičová