Handshakes in Thought is the inaugural exhibition of our new project space located in East London, opening on the 23rd of April, 2021. The title of the exhibition, Handshakes in Thought, references the farewell that Vincent van Gogh addressed his brother Theo in their famous letter correspondence. The phrase is oddly still relevant in the era of easing Covid restrictions with a common uncertainty still omnipresent. 

In this new selection of recent paintings by Karl Bielik, the energy of the times and spirit of a working artist in lockdown comes to the surface. Bielik is a dynamic artist who works on canvas, linen and paper to create innovative paintings. Acting as an extension of the artist studio space, the LPC Project Space draws together the instinctive, free-spirited atmosphere of Bielik’s painting. 

Bielik incorporates the physical movements required in the act of painting to bring his vision to life. Varying in scale and technique, Bielik creates compositions from an intuitive, non-subjective process. Primarily using oil-based paint, Bielik uses a variety of physical techniques to transfer paint to canvas: pouring, scraping and scratching, all of which result in organic and vibrant presentations.  Bielik also captures spontaneity as he applies colours and shapes, not planning his movements but letting them flow from impulse and freedom of expression.

Over time, a visual language starts to come together with repeating gestures, motifs, and stylistic references. Seen in the project space all together, the paintings tell a story of the artist’s inner emotional state at the time of creating the works in the studio. The results are brilliant, creative and unique.  London Paint Club is very proud to offer a portal to Bielik’s world and we are pleased to share his dynamic vision. Handshakes in Thought is on view from 23 April to 13 May, 2021.