Giant Snails & Tiny Lions catalogue

Giant Snails Giant Snails

TinyLions Lions &&Tiny

st March 21 March 21st2013 2013

Copyright 2013 View Art Gallery The rights of View Art Gallery as author of the work has been asserted to them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

books

Giant Snails

& Tiny Lions

View Art Gallery presents a group show

Giant Snails & Tiny Lions March 21 - May 12, 2013

View Art Gallery 159-161 Hotwells Road Bristol BS8 4RY United Kingdom for enquiries: +44 (0)5603 116753 info@viewartgallery.co.uk

MATTHEW ROY ARNOLD MATT BUSHER BETH CARTER GLENN IBBITSON VALDA JACKSON STEPHEN LOVATT KERRY PHIPPEN LISA SWIRLING ADELE UNDERWOOD FRAN WILLIAMS

GLENN IBBITSON Anonymous, unnerving and claustrophobic, Glenn Ibbitson’s Consignment images were inspired by the theme of escapology.

The subject matter initially appears to be straightforward; an exquisite human figure cramped into a tight, suffocating space. The combination of twisted limbs jutting out at odd angles, a harsh fleshy tonality and faces angled away from the viewer, all contribute to a sense of unease. On closer inspection, questions start to form. Scale is a key feature of Ibbitson’s paintings, as the subjects are evidently too large for their environments. However, we are left unsure as to whether these constricting areas are enforced cells or the safe haven of a refuge.

An already anonymous figure is further denoted to the level of mere human commodity through the use of a wholly dispassionate titling system. Each ‘unit’ (or artwork) belongs to a particular ‘batch’ (or set of paintings), identified by shared dimensions and made ready for shipping on a particular date. Ibbitson intends for viewers to form a personal connection with his work and to interpret them without any preconceived notions.

For Ibbiston, the scenes are a metaphor for two political issues. The first is political oppression and the suspension of human liberties caused by the enforced submission of the individual. The second is the concern of human trafficking and the high-risk strategies employed in acts of global transmigration.

This work can be appreciated on multiple levels, either to see them as symbolic images of man trying to cope and face challenges, or appreciate them simply as aesthetically beautiful.

Batch 11 Unit 8 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm £3,000

Batch 11 Unit 7 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm ÂŁ3,000

Batch 11 Unit 5 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm ÂŁ3,000

Batch 11 Unit 4 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm ÂŁ3,000

Batch 11 Unit 3 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm ÂŁ3,000

previous page: Batch 15 Units 1-8 acrylic on panel 37 x 37 cm £475 each

left top: Batch 23 Unit 2 oil on canvas 40 x 40 cm £800 left bottom: Batch 23 Unit 1 oil on canvas 40 x 40 cm £800 right: Batch 11 Unit 9 oil on canvas 90 x 90 cm £3,000

KERRY PHIPPEN Fairytales, emotions and animal instincts are all used as inspiration for Kerry Phippen’s magical art.

Largely inspired by human experiences, she mixes and reinvents scenarios to produce distinctive and intriguing imagery. Whilst the fairytale appearance endows her work with a childlike appearance, the strange scenarios she places her subjects in creates a simultaneously unnerving aura.

In order to gain a better understanding of human and animal habits, Kerry spent time at a wolf sanctuary, watching and drawing the animals in their enclosures. She has also spent many hours making sketches in Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood.

From wolves staring at you with fierce eyes wearing patterned dresses to a faceless little red riding hood sitting alone, these images are set to captivate.

Domestic Wolves pencil and ink on wallpaper 25 x 25 cm £440

above: Tree Girl pencil and collage on wallpaper 15 x 15 cm ÂŁ440

right: Wolf in Waiting pencil and ink on wallpaper 25 x 25 cm ÂŁ440

Winged Lady ink and glitter paint on paper 76 x 56 cm ÂŁ1,650

Red Hiding Wolf ink on paper 40 x 20 cm ÂŁ420

Ellie with Shoes ink on oragami paper 10 x 10 cm £220 Girl with Dark Horse pencil and ink on card 12 x 12 cm £395

Sitting on Stumps ink on dolls house paper 20 x 20 cm £420

VALDA JACKSON Sentimental, nostalgic and endearing, Valda Jackson’s sculptures explore the relationship between child and adulthood.

By visualising the connections and behaviour between siblings and parents, Valda intends to portray a specific, albeit naïve, ambition many children have; to be what is perceived as strong and wise with age.

The children within her sculptures are often depicted in humorous scenes, from wearing enormous high-heeled shoes, to attempting to sew buttons onto a doll. Whilst these may appear playful, Valda simultaneously incorporates a frustration within her charming figures through their facial expressions. This evident exasperation enhances the feeling that these children are aspiring to reach adulthood quickly.

Bewitching and charismatic, Valda’s sculptures serve as a reminder of real childhood innocence and fun.

Molly’s Buttons bronze resin 13 x 13 cm £880

Aunty’s Heels bronze resin 13 x 13 cm £880

Mother and Child bronze resin H27 cm ÂŁ990

MATT BUSHER Greed, consumerism and Old Masters resonate throughout the work of Matt Busher.

Seeking to critique popular culture such as consumerism, politics, films and fashion, his subject matter varies enormously. From working miniature soldiers and cartoon imagery to art-historical references and everyday objects, his drawings ultimately aims to analyze mass media and our consumer-driven society.

His pictorial language combines the long-standing artistic influence of Goya, Rubens and Picasso with logos, symbols and objects, which hold a personal resonance. By incorporating myth, allegory, ritual and metaphor into his drawings, he intends to extend and enrich the concept of social hypocrisy, double standards and greed, which he believes exists amongst contemporary society.

Eclectic and at times humorous, Matt’s drawings simultaneously contemporize art history whilst commenting on the nature of modern society.

Bacchus charcoal on paper 154 x 167 cm ÂŁ3,700

Cowboy charcoal on paper 154 x 167 cm ÂŁ3,700

MATTHEW ROY ARNOLD Unnervingly tactile and realistic, Matthew Arnold’s exquisite sculptures will astound.

Arnold’s latest series of works, entitled Interaction, seeks to emphasize the importance of studying a subject at great length in order to gain the knowledge necessary to imagine, manipulate and create something that is more than just a reproduction. The result of this method is the unmistakable life and vitality that he instills within these works.

His subjects vary enormously, from human heads, to a lion wrestling with a squid. Whilst the scene depicted might not be true-to-life, the consistent theme throughout his work is his ability to convey a dynamic energy through his realist style.

Influenced by many sources, from the legendary model maker Ray Harryhausen, to the contemporary hyperrealist sculptor Ron Mueck, Arnold’s extreme talent is evident through the detail he incorporates on such a small scale.

Lion vs Octopus polymer clay, oil paint, gouache 20 x 10 x 12 cm ÂŁ990

Squashed Faces Silicone, pigment, sponge, perspex 15 x 15 x 6 cm ÂŁ440

Dodo and Bat Polymer clay, feathers, oil paint 14 x 11 x 6 cm ÂŁ770

Skulls jesmonite, oil paint 12 x 6 x 7 cm ÂŁ440

ADELE UNDERWOOD Unnerving yet engrossing, Adele Underwood’s eye-catching paintings aim to reveal common truths for all humanity.

Her paintings are essentially narrative and whilst eternally seeking meanings, her conclusions are never forced. Instead she intends for the viewer to draw out their own personal messages from her intriguing works.

The latest body of work engages you with a somewhat sensitive concept, burgeoning sexuality.

She symbolises the difficulty and confusion that many of us contend with, particularly during adolescence, through the inclusion of animal masks and faces within her images.

Whilst on initial appearance Adele’s creations may seem humorous, the longer spent engaging with them, the more unsettling elements slowly become apparent.

right: Its All Over Now Baby Blue oil and charcoal on canvas 90 x 120 cm £2,100 over page: Dubious Battle oil on canvas 120 x 90 (x3 panels) cm £4,840

Not Chosen oil and charcoal on canvas 90 x 120 cm £2,100 The Correction oil and charcoal on canvas 90 x 90 cm £1,870

LISA SWIRLING Lisa Swerling’s wonderful Glass Cathedrals are a celebration of the human condition.

Monumentalising the mundane, memorable and the magical, Lisa’s inspiration behind these works stem from thoughts she’s been having since she was a child. From; do I have to clean my room today to I’m going to die one day, they incorporate the various dilemmas we all face throughout life.

Proportion is evidently hugely important within Lisa’s works. She believes that the relative scale of the tiny people inhabiting these worlds, makes their pursuits by turn; heroic, tragic, humorous and wistful. These tiny people grappling with small, medium and big issues will make you laugh and cry, but above all, they will connect with you.

Unplugged mixed media in boxed frame 21 x 30 x 8 cm ÂŁ365

Under Construction mixed media in boxed frame 21 x 30 x 8 cm £365

An Utter Disregard for Consequences mixed media in boxed frame 21 x 30 x 8 cm £365

Night Job mixed media in boxed frame 60 x 35 x 12 cm ÂŁ970

FRAN WILLIAMS Fran Williams returns to View with a new and astonishing series of works. Deeply evocative figures, richly textured canvases and elusive settings draw you into an ulterior world.

The surfaces of her canvases play an integral part of her creative practice. Although not always visible once the work is complete, Fran is constantly writing random words, thoughts, lyrics and questions, onto the surfaces of her paintings. She sees this as a personal journey, which is then completed once reaching the viewer as they are left to interpret it subjectively.

A regular and popular exhibitor at the gallery, Fran’s art never fails to touch the viewer and stimulates multiple emotional responses. We may feel ‘broken’ sadness, abandoned joy, torment, longing or desperation.

The Irrational Fear of Falling oil on wood 50 x 70 cm £1,870

The Power of One (believing is seeing) oil on canvas 12 x 12 cm ÂŁ395

See Through (to the new) oil on canvas 120 x 90 cm ÂŁ3,300

You Know You Can Do It oil on wood 70 x 30 cm £1,540

Maybe Tomorrow oil on wood 30 x 70 cm ÂŁ1,430

BETH CARTER Beth’s work inspires a pure child-like response as well as deeper adult themes.

The unusual characters created by her expansive imagination can be humorous and playful. On further investigation, it is possible to be taken on a more sinister journey of sadness, pity and fear.

Beth is skilled in sculpture, drawing, and unique animated ‘drawings’. Consistent in all forms is an almost eerie amount of life projecting from an inanimate object.

With an increasing fan base and growing reputation in the art world, the name Beth Carter is becoming synonymous with ‘collectable’.

Leading the Giant bronze resin, edition 15 57 x 19 x 28 cm ÂŁ3,850

Kneeling Horse bronze resin, edition 15 120 x 50 x 60 cm ÂŁ5,760

Fox and Pheasant bronze, edition 15 50 x 27 x 25 cm ÂŁ3,360

Sleeping Minotaur bronze resin 15 x 42 cm ÂŁ2,100

STEPHEN LOVATT Meticulous observation, carefully manipulated brush strokes and intense discipline all add to the artifice of Stephen Lovatt’s enigmatic tableaux.

Stephen’s paintings are composed in his studio from the curios he has collected over a lifetime.

Isolated players, they face each other across the stage, relationships suggested but not confirmed.

The study of 17th century masters of still-life has been an influence, as have 20th century exponents of representational painting.

Now a regular exhibitor in our exhibitions, Lovatt has created several new pieces specifically for Giant Snails & Tiny Lions.

Apotheosis (the hero) acrylic on panel 20 x 20 cm £340

The History of Innocence acrylic on panel 18 x 18 cm ÂŁ330

Prelude to an Epic Journey acrylic on panel 30 x 30 cm ÂŁ420

left: Hostile Encounter acrylic on panel 50 x 50 cm ÂŁ950

above: Movement to an Eclipse acrylic on panel 20 x 20 cm ÂŁ340

The End of the Adventure acrylic on panel 30 x 30 cm ÂŁ420

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