MONTI8 is thrilled to present ‘Compatibility’, a duo show featuring works by Owen Rival and Aidan Barker-Hill. The exhibition idea was born from the collaboration – and then became close friendship – between these two young artists who worked together during the last year to create a new bodies of works, related to their personal lives.

The title Compatibility combines two meanings: it refers to the dialogue between each other’s paintings, but also it investigates the relationship between men and women and how they share intimate and private moments in different ways.

Owen Rival (born in 1999 in Toronto, lives and works in Houston) draws inspiration from his experiences, depicting himself and his wife as main characters of his scenes. They are mostly located in domestic spaces, where the human figures fill the foreground of the painting. The surface of the canvas is always enriched by a multitude of details as, for instance, a big onion he is chopping or other vegetables lying on the table, or a messy bathroom sink plenty of stuff like toothbrushes, lotions, shavers and many other things. This large amount of objects helps to convey a claustrophobic feeling, enhanced by the use of an artificial and dim light and oversaturated colours. His paintings share with the viewer intimate moments of this married couple whose presence is always depicted or evoked.

Aidan Barker-Hill (born in 1994 in Nevada, lives and works in New York), created this new series of paintings questioning the topic of love. Being a single man after a long time made him think about the difficulty of being in a relationship with someone new. This idea came out especially after trying the dating Apps in New York, which can be exciting as well as frustrating. The subjects of his new paintings show the vulnerability of men and women involved in a relationship where they both feel uncomfortable, despite they struggle to remain together as a couple.

Compatibility is the second exhibition hosted by MONTI8 in the new venue at via degli Ausoni 57. The show will be open on 6 March, from 6 pm to 8.30 pm. It will be on view through 24 April.