LAUREN REA
Stephen Friedman Gallery: Huma Bhabha
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"House of Traps" (2016) is made out of Cork, Acrylic, oil stick, rubber and much like the rest of Bhabha's work explores this idea of ancient deities and sculptural work. From a modern viewpoint, the materials of cork and rubber contrast each other and create a sense of timeless and enigma.
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"Untitled" (2016) is made of Acrylic paint, graphite, clay on paper and is a huge piece that was hung at the back of the gallery - almost like a backdrop. It seems to follow this conccept of the old fused with the new, referencing scrolls and parchment, but in actuality is recording a modern pavement
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"Castle of the Daughter" (2016) is made from cork, styrophome, acrylic paint, oil stick, wood - following similar themes as the rest of Bhabha's work of the old and the new, exploring monuments, deities and a sense of enigmatic agelessness
Pastoral Unit: Tschabalala Self
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"Carma"(2016)is made from Fabric, linen, acrylic and pastel on canvas and depicts a woman of colour in a transcendently abstract way. The use of bright tones lends to the artist's African heritage and creates a sense of the exotic for the viewer.
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"Swayze" (2016), Mirrored plexiglass and wood explores gender and identity, using the mirror as a metaphorical use of materials to connect with the audience, making them question their own sexuality, gender and identity. Being propped against the wall also suggests a sense of contingency.
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"Partners"(2016) This is a wallpiece that is made from Oil, acrylic, charcoal, paper, and fabric on canvas and is painted in an abstract way, playing on the concept of reflection, exploring the black female form and cultural ideals of beauty.
Marian Goodman Gallery: Shared Exhibition
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"Les Spectres des couturieres"By Annette Messenger (2015) is made from synthetic leather, various elements and displays a sculptural depiction of cutting instruments suspended from the ceiling, working to invade the privacy of the viewer.
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"Camel (Albino) Contemporary Needle (Large)" By John Baldessari (2013) is Made with fiberglass, aluminium, stainless steel, acrylic and paint and explores the concept an extinction of species, with the white connoting the idea of the animal fading from existence.
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"Ellipse" BY Ettore Spalletti (2015) Made from alabaster and is a rather minimalist sculpture that clearly references the traditional origins of sculpture, exploring balance and the relationship of the viewer with the object.
This trip to 3 of London's most prestigious galleries was meant to make us consider our own practice, expanding on our own horizons and taking inspiration from artists in the exhibitions currently on show. Personally, I enjoyed the materiality of The Huma Bhabha and The Tschabalala Self exhibition, with particualr intrest in the depiction of women in both there showings
London Gallery Visits (January)