An illustration of a large, stylised letter “H” on a purple background. The letter features scalloped edges and a black-and-white dotted pattern.

Supermundane comes over all nostalgic for latest series I Know It’s Over

Words: Jenny Brewer
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Date: 12 January 2018; Work
Illustration

For his latest series and exhibition I Know It’s Over, illustrator Supermundane has considered the feelings we have, and the songs we think of when something concludes. “All things come to an end, some abruptly, without warning, others, seemingly infinite, their ending so far ahead it is hard to even imagine,” he says. “With ending comes nostalgia for the times before. When Alley Gallery asked me to be one of the last exhibitions in their current space, the Smiths’ song I Know It’s Over immediately came to mind. Music has always been important to me and the lyrics of my favourite songs have memories (good and bad) attached to them.”

Supermundane created no fewer than 71 prints for the show, both a practical and emotional number, he explains. “It’s the amount of 50cm x 70cm prints I could fit in the gallery, but also the year of my birth.” Visually, the series explores a plethora of repeating and tessellating shapes, overlapping with sections cut out, shifted, rotated and reassembled. Each is delineated by the illustrator’s signature black outlines, and filled with white and halftone textures, backdropped by a pleasing range of block colours. And each is titled with a lyric that means something to him.

“I’ve arbitrarily attached lyrics to abstract forms,” he says. “These images were all made before giving them the lyrics and have no real link but whenever words and images are brought together something new is created. The words change how the images are viewed and connections (that are purely coincidental) appear.”

A letter comes with every print (of which there are only two copies), explaining the history behind the lyrics and why he chose them, to add a personal touch. Also bringing a very Supermundane humour, the catalogue’s back cover is taken over by a brilliant photo of the illustrator in a wig, holding a Shruti box and a toy guitar covered in stickers. “That was taken by Emily Forgot in my living room. I have no recollection of it being taken. It’s not a flattering photo but I thought it fitted in with the show quite well.”

I Know It’s Over by Supermundane is open from today until 10 February at Alley Gallery, Dorpsstraat 38/1- 3500 Hasselt, Belgium.

An abstract illustration of three overlapping squares on a bright yellow background. Two squares are white and one is filled with a black-and-white dotted pattern. Small text at the bottom reads “IKSO – Part Four”, “I love my mother, I love my father” and “2018”. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
I love my mother, I love my father

An abstract illustration of overlapping black circles and rectangles on a lime green background. Some shapes are filled with a dense black dot pattern, while others remain white. Small text at the bottom reads “IKSO – Part Twenty One”, “I wish it were the same as it is in my mind” and “2018”. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
I wish it were the same as it is in my mind

A geometric illustration on a peach background featuring a symmetrical, abstract shape. The form consists of two semi-circles and a central diamond, with black halftone patterns filling the outer curves. Small text at the bottom reads “IKSO – Part Forty Four”, “We’re not kings here, we’re just strangers” and “2018”. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
We’re not kings here, we’re just strangers

A geometric illustration on a pale yellow background. A black rectangular frame contains four stacked white parallelograms, each flanked by black dotted patterns. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
You don’t need a path to follow if you run straight down the mountain

An abstract illustration of a geometric shape composed of black lines, white spaces and dotted patterns. The form is set against a bright yellow background. Small text at the bottom reads “IKSO – Part Sixty One”, “And when it starts it’s already begun” and “2018”. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
And when it starts it’s already begun

An illustration of a white, organic shape overlapping a black-outlined rectangle filled with a dense dot pattern. The composition is set against a muted beige background. Small text at the bottom reads “IKSO – Part Sixty Six”, “I want to give you children” and “2018”. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over
I want to give you children

A gallery hallway with white walls lined with rows of geometric abstract artworks. The pieces feature bold primary colours and black outlines, leading the eye toward a storefront window at the end of the room. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over at Alley Gallery

Two black and white magazines lie on a light wooden surface. The first cover features bold white text that reads “I Know It’s Over” and “Super-mundane”. The second cover shows a person with an afro sitting in a cluttered room filled with books and guitars. — Above
Supermundane: I Know It’s Over booklet

Further Info

www.alley.be
www.supermundane.com

About the Author

Jenny Brewer

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Jenny oversees editorial output across It’s Nice That. Get in touch with writing pitches for features or opinion pieces, big creative story tips, or questions about all things editorial. jb@itsnicethat.com

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Supermundane comes over all nostalgic for latest series I Know It’s Over

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