NEW PAINTINGS / 05/02/09 - 08/03/09
GERRY HUNT
Location: William Angel Gallery, 1 Barry Parade, Peckham Rye, London SE22 0JA

Gerry Hunt’s career parallels the development of contemporary art itself. Born in 1927, his progress as an artist reflects the major trends in art of the latter half of the twentieth century. This interest in the "Languages" of 20th Century painting can be seen clearly in his 1980's publication, Some Principles and Practice of Twelve Modern Art Styles (Published by Coracle Press London) Despite the diverse nature of Hunt’s work, there is an overriding concern as to the balance between art and craft, between theoretical knowledge and practical execution. Taught by two founding members of the Euston Road School, Hunt’s training as an artist is very much rooted in the British tradition.

This exhibition presents his latest works in which decades of artistic experience have found concrete expression. Exploring relationships between line and colour, Hunt draws attention to the fundamentals of painting. Hunt’s mature work is powerful and yet subtle; there are no jarring forms, no forced originality. The resulting work is engaging and poetic, the height of minimalist abstract expression.

Gerry Hunt studied at Camberwell School of Art and Slade School of Art. He later taught at both Camberwell and the Byam Shaw School of Art. Solo shows include Stills from Dreams: Paintings and Drawings from Imagination, Café Gallery, Southwark Park (2003), Paintings, Drawings and Text, Ko Raw Gallery, London (1998), Paintings and Drawings, Concourse Gallery, Byram Shaw (1993) and Expanded Moments, Coracle Press Gallery, London (1980). In addition his work has been exhibited widely in a number of group shows, including Monochromes. Institute of Contemporary Arts (New Gallery, 1976), Verbiage, Kettles Yard, Cambridge (1979), Tolly-Cobbold Exhibition, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge (1977) and Reese Palley Gallery, New York (1971).  In 1980 Coracle Press published his Some Principles and Practice of Twelve Modern Art Styles.