Revaleka

STEM Projects presents Past Future Tense, a solo exhibition by Revaleka. In this solo exhibition, Revaleka reflects the landscape of nostalgia not merely as a yearning for the past but also as seeing how it might influence our present and future. His work in this exhibition examines the malleability of our own memories, specifically how nostalgia seems to have an emotional grip on our lives.

Revaleka’s works depict scenes at commonly found areas in our house, often set in a cozy living room adorned with old-fashioned furniture—a sofa, chairs, a tabletop, and an antiquated television—akin to impressionist paintings. Revaleka populates these spaces with silhouetted figures, each one drenched in red hues, each posed candidly or sometimes in a stiff, awkward-like manner, reminiscent of family gatherings in the '80s. Revaleka draws inspiration from old family photos, using them as a gateway to nostalgia.

The intentional distortion of figures into red-colored silhouettes symbolizes the void left by our imperfect or lost memory, of people who were a part of our life before. These silhouettes become a conduit, inviting viewers to draw themselves in the interplay of presence and absence, exploring the fragility of memory. However, the visual distortion, while conveying detachment and vagueness, raises questions about its impact on the emotional connection between the audience and the artwork.

Revaleka's blend of painting and photography shows how his painting can evoke the sensation of seeing a photograph, while still having the painting element intact and evident. The two exist synergistically, like a mutualistic symbiosis. The exhibition urges us to question our existence and identities, challenging the conventional narrative of capturing monumental moments and encouraging a deeper reflection on life's complexities.