Opening March 31, 2023
We are excited to present, 'Escapism', a solo exhibition by local Christchurch artist, Jacob Yikes.
After the success of his sell out show 'Even in Darkness' in 2022, Jacob has been working tirelessly to produce a new body of work that extends concepts of the subconscious and altered realities seen in his previous work.
Jacob showcases his signature style of surrealist painting while continuing to push his mediums through new surfaces and formats.
This exhibition opened March 31st and ran until Saturday April 29th 2023.
"I have a bigger studio now I've been able to work on all of these paintings at once to some degree, therefore there is a real sense of cohesion throughout them all, they really feel like a solid body of work .There is a sense of continuation from the last series, but they are far more refined and detailed and will take the viewer on a bit of a journey through what my mind looks like after a year of isolation in my studio".
Jacob Yikes (Jacob Ryan, born 1987), is a multi-disciplinary artist from Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand. From his roots in graffiti as a teenager, Yikes has earned a position as one of the country’s most prolific and respected urban artists. After joining the renowned DTR Crew in 2014, his profile and output expanded and his ever-evolving and distinctive style has seen him headline an array of street art festivals across Aotearoa, including Rise, Spectrum, Paradox and South Sea Spray.
Developing a focus on his fine art and studio-based works, Yikes completed his Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts in 2010 and has been exhibiting in gallery settings since. His unique style and technical skill have seen him complete commercial campaigns with Cadbury, Parrot Dog Brewery and Fiasco Brewing, as well as collaborations with musicians Tom Scott and Mellowdowns. His work has even extended to hospitality fit-outs, creating special effects in the interiors of several popular restaurants, such as Mexico in Christchurch.
His ability to adapt his style to various subjects has given Jacob access to private commissions, from small-scale studio works to massive walls, both private and public. Commissions with the DTR Crew and OiYOU! Street Art includes Jacob’s largest wall yet, the tribute to iconic physicist Earnest Rutherford on the Hutchinson Ford Building in central Christchurch (2022).