Lucy Skaer often uses found photographic imagery which she removes from the original context and translates into what she describes as 'another language'. She aims to slow down our comprehension in what we are looking at, and this is evident in her piece "Leviathon Edge" 2009. This work shows a whale's skull suspended and contained within a space and segregated from the rest of the room. The viewer can only see the skull through purposeful gaps in these walls. The effect of this is that we are made to look at the object in sections but rather than cutting the skull into pieces we are still aware that it exists as a whole. This noticeably changes the way we look at it. Her work stems from reality but is transformed into something both familiar and unfamiliar at the same moment in time. I found her work predictable and tame. Work that is asking you to question how you physically look at things is dull in my opinion.
The work of Richard Wright responds directly to the space in which they are situated. He creates subtle and exquisite paintings that focus on the temporary nature of art. He says "space is a work already begun" and that he can "feel the air". He wants to "open up a visual world of the unseen". These beliefs that are evident through his practice make his work magical and 'special', unique to the particular situation he is in. He paints directly on the walls of the space, and questions the value of art, knowing that his paintings will not exist after the show. His piece "No Title" 2009 is created using gold leaf, upon entering the room you are faced with a delicate yet magnificent painting.
"No Title" 2009, Richard Wright.
Enrico David, a contemporary surrealist, is perhaps one of the most perplexing artists in this years show. He creates unsettling and disconcerting imagery through drawing, painting and sculpture. His work focuses on the human body and an awkward fit into the world. This is not merely a response to self consciousness, more a production of a paranoid nightmare. "Absuction Cardigan" 2009 is something comparable to an obscure shop window display. The oversized limbs of a human figure are draped over the scene linking different objects within the piece. It expresses a physical and emotional crisis, concerned mainly with gender and sexuality. I feel that his work is therapy on the self, I was left unsettled and intrigued about the artist himself rather than the artwork.
"Absuction Cardigan" 2009, Enrico David.
The most publicly favored artist to win this year is Roger Hiorns, he uses organic materials allowing the element of chance into his work. As he states, he becomes "an objective viewer of his own process". The artist combines unusual resources to create powerful sculpture and installation. "Seizure" is the most extravagant of all the pieces. Hiorn flooded a London flat with a copper sulphate solution which he then left to cool and crystalize. The end results are beautiful but this is not the half of it, when the process is considered this work becomes powerfully exceptional. "Untitled" 2008 is an atomised passenger plane, the final product, a very fine grey dust, is displayed on the floor of the show. This piece challenges our faith in technology and the entropy of all things. Concepts aside the art of Richard Hiorn is truly epic.
"Seizure" Richard Hiorns.
Richard Wright won, and i think we all know who to thank.
ReplyDeletelicky licky