Until this point in the artist’s career, Xhixha has focused primarily on the use of steel. The sublime nature of his arworks appearance has been concerned with a mirror-polished surface that allows for light to dance across their exterior, creating a fascinating situation between the realms the physical and the nonphysical.
Faced with the challenge of exhibiting in the marble capital of the world, Xhixha has chosen to showcase new approaches to his practice that will pay homage to their location whilst remaining true to the artists work to date.
In relation to the ancient practice of Alchemy, the artist will start to develop outwards from a singular starting point, into new areas that have not been previously explored. The alchemists were considered dreamers, they were locked in an eternal search for the impossible in the attempt to make the world a better place.
Xhixha’s practice is now developing in the same manner, rigorous experimentation is causing him to make new discoveries in both the approach to his work and the materials that he can utilise. Alchemy was considered a meeting point between philosophy and science, and it is exactly these two schools of thought that are enabling the artist to grow his practice, pushing it further and further into unknown and exciting territory.
Shining Rock will run until 31.09.16 in Pietrasanta, Italy.