Sometimes looking ahead means looking back: at ancient myths, at inherited knowledge, at our relationship with nature. In Backwards Future, two artists from different continents enter into dialogue to reflect on the future of humankind.
Space Shamans and Astronauts
Mexican artist Ruben Carrasco and Russian artist Rustam Qbic tell stories of space shamans, of spiritual travellers exploring a paradisiacal world, and of astronauts who abandon their sinking spaceship to connect and reorient themselves in weightlessness. Their imagery draws on human conditions and myths, on our relationship with nature and the way we change it, and on the cultural development of the hybrid societies typical of the modern world.
A Fragile World
Both artists share the idea of a fragile world and of human beings who depend on it. Their approaches are sensitive, conveying hope and perspective, but also the need to change from within.
About the artists
Rustam Qbic
Rustam Qbic was born in 1985 in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. He studied at the Kazan Art School, experimented with illustration, design and graffiti, and taught at a children's design school. He soon combined his passion for graffiti and working in public space with his love of classical painting, and before long he had replaced style writing with surreal imagery. He first presented this new style, which unites illustrative elements, surreal images and a striking colour palette, in a solo exhibition at the Street Kit Gallery in Moscow in 2013.
Rustam's work is strongly shaped by his life, his family, nature and his books. It conveys universal messages of love and connects science and spirituality. In addition to exhibiting in international galleries, he has taken part in urban art festivals in Russia, Norway, Switzerland, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.
Ruben Carrasco
Ruben Carrasco was born in Mexico, where he spent his childhood and youth. After studying fine arts at Universidad Anáhuac in Cancún, he continued his studies at McGill University and Dawson College in Montreal. Alongside developing his artistic practice, he has worked as a tattoo artist, set designer, muralist, photographer, and graphic and digital designer.
His painting style is figurative and narrative, inspired by classical Roman and Greek statues, Indian folklore and pop surrealism. This unusual blend gives him room to create surreal worlds in which he reflects his perception of the present day. A world traveller, Ruben has worked and exhibited in various countries across Europe and the Americas. He currently lives in Montreal, where he collaborates with the Consulate General of Mexico as a jury member of the Art Exhibitions Evaluation Committee for "Espacio México". He also founded the international artist collective "5 wolfs no pigs" and co-founded the art festivals FIAP and IPAF.
"Backwards Future"
Ruben Carrasco (MEX) & Rustam Qbic (RUS)
Opening
10 May
Exhibition
13 May – 14 June
11 am – 7 pm and by appointment
Pretty Portal
Brunnenstraße 12
40223 Düsseldorf
