Psychological Material

Emotions, instincts, thoughts and the presence of the unconscious. This show titled ‘Psychological Material’ is the coming together of portrait and figurative fine artists Roland Kassar and Abi Joy Samuel.

Roland Kassar (born 1986) is a london based fine artist who primarily works from direct observation. Since 2018, Roland is the resident artist at Store Street Espresso. Roland is currently studying psychoanalysis and has previously studied philosophy, both of which influence his life and art.

Roland’s work is based on the premise that what we see is only a partial depiction of what is out there. For Roland, making portraits from life is a means to access the depth of human nature, through expressive studies of one’s presence, feelings, and thoughts.

This collection is a homage to Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis. Each work was named after a Freudian psychoanalytical concept. Roland drew a model from life in a single pose, which he later interpreted as a possible reenactment of the analyst/patient interaction.

Whilst Roland focuses on what is hidden to ourselves, Abi focuses on the many identities humans experience.

Abi Joy Samuel (born 1993) is a multiple award winning non-binary Jewish expressionist figurative artist. Based in London, Abi brings to Store Street Espresso a series of works which peel away identity through repetitive layers of charcoal and pastel. Abi says:

“What if everyone from the day they were born had one piece of paper assigned to them and for each experience they had a drawing was made, one on top of the other, creating a complete visual impression of the complexity of human existence?”

Working in a multitude of layers, rubbing back and working over, Abi goes on a spiritual journey to understand the temporary nature of our existence, whilst their mediums of choice (charcoal and pastel on paper), symbolise fragility and acceptance. Other topics that frequently show up in Abi’s work is the psychological complexity of sexuality, gender and religion and how they overlap, coincide and conflict.

This show is a coming together of Freudian and Buddhist philosophy, existentialism, human nature, emotions and thought. Moving beyond the borders of 2D line work, this show is an in-depth study of what can only me described as ‘Psychological Material’.

On display from 9 November 2022 - 1 April 2023