When does the past end and the present begin, and what exists in the in-between? The nature of time is often explored through the lens of both permanence and transience. How does the fluidity of memory, which is deeply subjective, shape the process of art-making? Artworks exploring time often address diverse themes, from socio-cultural issues to art-making conventions. These themes can range from reflections of personal lived experiences to broader societal commentary, each revealing different aspects of how time influences artistic expression. 

If there might be an aesthetic that expresses the complex relationship between loss, time, and solitude, how would it look like? What visual or conceptual elements would it involve? An Ode to Absence is an exhibition that explores these questions. By considering the notions of “lack” and “longing,” the exhibition delves into how these themes can articulate the nuances of temporal experience and the conceptual weight of absence. 

Featuring works drawn from private art collections, An Ode to Absence is an exercise of a curatorial methodology that seeks to create connections between seemingly disparate pieces. This approach identifies interconnecting artistic interests that are at times unexpected, using them as a basis to foster dialogue and reveal underlying themes that might otherwise remain obscured. Through this process, the curatorial approach transforms individual pieces into a narrative that invites viewers to contemplate the time as an interplay between presence and absence, and the dimensions of the ephemeral and the enduring.