Sad But Happy

Sad But Happy

17 Osborne Street London, E1 6TD, United Kingdom Friday, September 1, 2017–Sunday, October 1, 2017 Opening Reception: Thursday, August 31, 2017, 6 p.m.–9 p.m.

StolenSpace Gallery presents ‘Sad But Happy’ the beautiful new solo show by german artist duo Hera and Akut, known as Herakut. 

young medusa by herakut

Herakut

Young Medusa, 2017

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that’s why i couldn’t sleep at night by herakut

Herakut

That’s why I couldn’t sleep at night, 2017

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stop destroying my city said the dragon by herakut

Herakut

Stop destroying my city said the dragon, 2017

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she just loved helping her mom get ready for work by herakut

Herakut

She just loved helping her Mom get ready for work, 2017

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like momma said: follow your heart but take your mind with you by herakut

Herakut

Like Momma said: Follow your heart but take your mind with you, 2017

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i’m dying now but never really said the forest by herakut

Herakut

I’m dying now but never really said the forest, 2017

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i’m as much a predator as you are an innocent bunny by herakut

Herakut

I’m as much a predator as you are an innocent bunny, 2017

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i got quite good at hiding the herd from those who kill beauty for fun by herakut

Herakut

I got quite good at hiding the herd from those who kill beauty for fun, 2017

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he didn’t feel like sharing the news with his old pal today by herakut

Herakut

He didn’t feel like sharing the news with his old pal today, 2017

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everyone has baggage - some’s is just cuter than others by herakut

Herakut

Everyone has baggage - Some’s is just cuter than others, 2017

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at times the only thing alive about me were those demons by herakut

Herakut

At times the only thing alive about me were those demons, 2017

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adopting an american by herakut

Herakut

Adopting an American, 2017

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On the title for the show ‘Sad But Happy’, the duo stated; ‘It fits every single piece, we think, and fits our style in general. Ambivalence. Schizophrenia even. That's us. That's the essence of Herakut.’ 


This series of new works sees the duo progress with their distinctive and dark style. Depicting children and animals with large emotive eyes, they draw the viewer in to their mysteriously eerie world, making them contemplate the statements scribbled across the canvas and their relationship with the characters in the works.

Their dark use of colour contrasts with the bright and fast use of movement and brush work. Their style welcomes a kind of imperfect perfection, the brushstrokes seeming erratic and fluid but also so beautifully placed.

Their joint creative art process is about storytelling, the creation of imaginary worlds and inspiring their figures with individual characters. Hera sets the characters’ form and proportions, whilst Akut paints the photorealistic elements.

We are excited to have the duo back at StolenSpace again with this new body of work which promises to be beautiful as ever.