Studio Grid
was founded in August 2019 by GEA van der ZAAG & UMIT CATAK and is located in Zaandam. Gea and Umit have been working in their studio for several years now. Gea makes drawings and spatial work. Her work is inspired by architecture. Umit works as a photographer. His work consists of still life and art photography. In addition to their individual work, they develop projects together.
Mysterious Architectural Worlds
The work by GEA van der ZAAG has the character of a scale model of fantasized and imaginary forms and buildings. They are architectural, geometrical, abstract and graphic forms in an environment of ‘mismatched perspectives’ A new world is created of spaces, shapes, settings and thoughts like that of a city or a décor.
The inspiration for the works lies in fragments of architecture collected from books, the internet and the environment. These fragments serving as a starting point, Gea draws spaces and creates a new depth and perspectives with lines. Spatial elements are always added. It stems from the curiosity to discover what is behind the shape, moreover, what a form does when it literally finds itself in space.
Gea’s fascination for architectural designs arose during an extended stay in Izmir (Turkey) in 2015. There, Gea lived for 3 months in a metropolis among towers, residential high-rises and apartment blocks. This fascination has continued to linger because of her recurring interest in anything that has been built.
EXPO's GEA
sept 2024 solo expo studiogrid gallery PlayRoom Zaandam
juli / aug 2023/2024 Zomer Salon CBK, Amsterdam Zuidoost
okt. 2022 Zaanse glorie, gallery PlayRoom, Zaandam
juli 2022 TENGEL Expo ‘de Loads’, Krommenie
juli / aug 2022 Zomer Salon Royaal CBK, Amsterdam Zuidoost
febr. 2020 solo expo, De Fabriek, Zaandam
oct. 2019 100% VROUW, de Grote Kerk, Alkmaar
sept. 2019 teaser 100% VROUW, gallery PlayRoom, Zaandam
sept. 2019 TENGEL festival Hembrug, Zaandam
jun. 2019 Zaans Groen, Zaandam
jun. 2018 Afstudeer expo NAU, Loods 6, Amsterdam
Exploring Still Life through Diverse Materials
The work by Umit Catak consists of still life photography that has been built up in the studio, inspired by the classic still life. Umit assembles objects based on shape and colour that are interesting for his concept. The compositions of the assemblages are compiled and built up from different themes, materials and forms. Moreover, he designs his own objects based on this concept.
Umit experiments with light and composition, looking in detail at the image in which clarity and contradiction are central. The tension created by the combination of different materials is an important aspect.
For example, in the 'no statement here' series, only plastic material is central.
As the name suggests, it is not a statement or any reference to the current major environmental issues. The essence is to draw awareness to the versatility of the colours and shapes of plastic utensils that are undervalued in our daily lives.
Both digital and analogue techniques are used.
EXPO's UMIT
sept 2024 solo expo studiogrid gallery PlayRoom Zaandam
juli / aug 2023/2024 Zomer Salon CBK, Amsterdam Zuidoost
okt. 2022 Zaanse glorie, gallery PlayRoom, Zaandam
juli 2022 TENGEL Expo ‘de Loads’, Krommenie
juli / aug 2022 Zomer Salon Royaal CBK, Amsterdam Zuidoost
mrt.2020 solo expo, De Fabriek, Zaandam
nov. 2019 gallery PlayRoom, Zaandam
sept. 2019 TENGEL festival Hembrug, Zaandam
PUBLICATIONS ART GUIDE 2022, ART GUIDE 2024