Scott Radke, “Amor Fati” Exhibition runs: August 14th – September 12th, 2021 Haven Gallery is pleased to present Ohio based artist Scott Radke, for his third solo show, “Amor Fati” at the gallery. “Amor Fati” translates to “love of fate” in Latin and presents thirteen sculptures that surrealistically merge mythology, animals and the natural world. Each sculpture features childlike faces whose complex expressions embrace wonder, curiosity and wisdom. Innocent yet practiced, Radke’s work is of both of here nor there; his creatures are of myth, legend and an emotional embodiment that can only be felt and not explained. ABOUT SCOTT RADKE Scott Radke was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Radke has experimented with various media throughout his life and now externalizes his dark inner world and anxieties as adorably creepy sculptures, with a peculiar charm and a distinct style. In 1998 the popularity of his creations allowed him to leave his mind-numbing job at a bed-frame factory to pursue his creative passion on a full-time basis. Radke’s sculptures are handmade one by one with resin and painted in detail with acrylics, which makes them unique pieces. “Don’t get spooked — despite their gnarled hands, corpse-colored skin and sunken eyes, Scott Radke’s creations come in peace. “If you wanna get creepy with it, it’s real easy! Any film or music video [they are] involved in goes straight to the dark side,” says the 44-year-old sculptor, whose work made a cameo appearance in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Even if Scott prefers to bring his caterpillar people and bodiless, baby-cheeked creatures to life in suburban Cleveland nature preserves, he understands the desire to situate them in more shadowy worlds. After all, many of them were born there: Before discovering yoga and meditation, Scott displaced his anxiety and panic attacks by carving their faces. “I’ve always been told I was like Eeyore. I’ve had emotions and feelings I wanted to express and there was just no way I could do it with words. It comes out with what I do,” he says. These days, Scott lives with his daughter, their pet chickens and a lot more serenity — which he wants to pay forward to his soulful-eyed sculptures. “I’m pretty happy and content inside,” he says. “I wish I could write my own stories. I’d put them in something with a positive message.” -from an interview with Rebecca Haithcoat
