Power Play Comes To Rosalux In June

Power Play will feature new works from Rosalux artist Avigail Manneberg. The exhibition will open June 8th and run through June 30th with and opening reception on Saturday, June 8th from 7-10 PM.

Power Play, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 18 inches

Power Play - Artist Statement / Avigail Manneberg

In my work, I process current personal and political events. I think about the destruction of home at various scales – destruction of households, destruction of homelands, and destruction of relationships. Destruction breeds turmoil and crisis; it scrambles individuals’ and communities’ sense of identity.  

These events ignited a deep introspection into the ways power is perceived and wielded, whether in intimate relationships or on a global scale. I explore the relationship between power dynamics and destruction and search for growth.

I am inspired by Meir Goldberg’s lyrics. In particular, Empires Slowly Fall. This poem speaks to the gap between historical events and everyday life at home. 

Lady Butler’s painting Scotland Forever! from 1881 was a solid reference for this work. 

Empires Slowly Fall Boy is doing his history  homework in the living room He doesn't hear the doorbell ring Just as Athens invades Troy Dad walks in with a box of cookies and a newspaper Mom whispers secrets in dad’s ear Boy can hear a few of her words Alexander The Great now rules half of the continent Dad says that half the paycheck is gone And within the pages of the time that was lost People vanish in a single moment And Empires fall slowly Everything will be fine, Dad reassures Mom replies with a smile The empire soldier has reached the end of the continent Boy falls asleep and dreams of old battles

אימפריות נופלות לאט ילד מכין בסלון שעורים בהיסטוריה הוא לא שומע צלצול פעמון בה בשעה שאתונה פולשת לטרויה אבא נכנס עם קופסת עוגיות ועיתון אמא לאבא סודות על האוזן לוחשת ילד שומע קטעים בשיחה לאלכסנדר מוקדון יש את חצי היבשת אבא אומר שחצי המשכורת הלכה ובתוך הדפים של הזמן שאבד אנשים נגמרים ברגע אחד אימפריות נופלות לאט כל הדברים יסתדרו כך אבא מרגיע אמא עכשיו משיבה בחיוך חייל האימפריה אל קצה היבשת מגיע ילד נרדם וחולם על קרבות שהיו

Power Play, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 36 inches

Avigail Manneberg is a Minneapolis-based artist and educator. Avigail received her MFA from the University of Minnesota. Since then she has been teaching studio arts at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She lived in Berlin supported by DAAD, (German Academic Exchange Service) art fellowships, where she was affiliated with the University of the Arts (UdK). She has exhibited her work at galleries, universities, and museums in the USA and internationally, including in Finland, Berlin, Cyprus, Beijing, and Israel. Avigail is the recipient of numerous Minnesota State Arts Board grants and the University of Minnesota's 2018 Human Rights Initiative Grant.

Inquiries Information: Contact info for inquiries: avigailman@gmail.com

Rosalux Gallery hours are 12-4 PM Saturday and Sunday and the gallery is located at 315 W 48th Street in Minneapolis. Rosalux is always free and open to the public.