Jason DeBose & Dmitri Zudov - Squint

The exhibition ’Squint’ draws its name from the straining movement of the eyes in which they narrow to give the viewer a sharper, more certain idea of what lies before them. Painter Dmitri Zudov and photographer Jason DeBose have invited this reaction to their work on a regular basis in recent years in Finnish exhibitions as viewers have inquired especially from a distance (and even close up) if Zudov’s work is indeed the product of a photograph and similarly if DeBose’s is truly a painting.

This case of easily-mistaken identity grows out of a quality the two artists share in style. Both are known for steering clear of expository views of their chosen locales in favor of centering on moments and point-of-view angles that seem more likely to have been lifted at random from an episode in a person’s memory rather than chosen for their natural beauty. This selection of subject matter manages to convey to the viewer that they are placed into the moments that inspired them, complete with the emotion and disposition of this unknown viewer.

In Squint, both Zudov (b. 1976, Moscow, Russia) and DeBose (b. 1979, Pasadena, USA) bring selections inspired by their combined eight years in Finland. The exhibition is the product the two Helsinki-based artists being selected as recipients of Apurahat monikultturisuutta edistäviin taidehankkeisiin, The Arts Council of Finland's grant awarded annually to selected artists crafting public exhibits promoting multiculturalism.

• Curriculum Vitae: Jason DeBose »
• Curriculum Vitae: Dmitri Zudov »