IN A WORD / 20/06/09 - 05/07/09
ROSS JONES / BRONWEN SLEIGH / DAVID WIGHTMAN /
YUN-KYUNG JEONG
Open for viewing:
Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st June / 12 - 6pm and Thursday 25th June, Thursday 2nd July / 6 - 9pm
At all other times by appointment between 20th June and 5th July
While critics and academics have long fought over the question of what can be considered art, what recent developments have taught us, if anything, is that in our post modern state almost anything can be considered art. An artist and artwork can now therefore be anyone creating anything, even on a purely conceptual level. While a conceptual ability on the one hand, and a physical ability on the other, are both to be respected, can either compete on their own with the combination [in varying proportions] of both a conceptual and a physical ability? In recent years there has become an increasing sense that such attributes are mutually exclusive, positioning them as almost polar opposites, but this is far too simple an understanding.
This exhibition brings together the work of four artists whose work and process is evidence of a strong combination of conceptual and technical ability, but in otherwise substantially different work and medium. All show a dedication to their work in terms of conceptual thought, time and finish; in a word, rigour.
Influenced by the phenomenon of the contemporary urban inner city landscape, Bronwen Sleigh works from photographs that collide the "progressive" elements of urban development with the destruction of nature in a constantly evolving and shifting landscape. Meticulously reconstructing such urban environments, from her own photographs, into three-dimensional machetes first, she eventually transforms the original inhabitable spaces from monstrous proportions to etched abstracted maps or nets. The flattened abstractions allow the viewer to experience such urban landscapes distilled; to meditate on their particular beauty but also to contemplate their strained relationship with nature as “progress” takes its course.
By marrying aspects of eastern and western culture in her paintings, Yun-Kyung Jeong's works are the painterly pursuit of an imagined and idealised natural Utopia. Through the repetition of a leaf-shaped symbol that signifies the elements as one, the artist attempts to portray the invisible and subtle collisions arising from the conflicts between the countless elements that make up the world. Jeong’s current body of work meticulously pursues every possible combination of the repeated sign in patterns that have qualities of optical illusion in their play with depth, combined with a strong sense of perverse three dimentiality. There are subtle hints of western Gothic architecture in the patterns; the curves of flying buttresses and barrel vaults. As such constructions are considered to have a visual similarity with natural forms, this can be seen as a meeting point or collision of eastern and western values. Unlike the western Christian ideology of man over nature, such eastern philosophies as animism suggest a sense of equality.
Ross Jones' highly finished and detailed drawings are cuttingly political. For all the complex and sensitive issues with which they deal, Jones' recent works are characterised by calm, considered reflection. In each of his works he seeks to distil a political issue into just one of its visual constituent parts. This requires great consideration as the result stands as a signifier, an iconic symbol, for each individual problem in its entirety. Jones can be seen as a socio-political critique, or as simply trying, and arguably succeeding, to make some sense of contemporary socio-political situations for himself and for the viewer. Less a damning or revolutionary critique, than a perspective that occasionally highlights subtle ironies.
David Wightman's work consists of minimalist geometric abstractions, which he refers to as 'target' paintings. Wightman uses textured wallpaper to give his work a tactile element, allowing it to transcend the limitations of traditional painting. Wightman's work creates an aesthetic link between working class interiors and the formalist painting of "high art". His work requires great precision, and is almost mathematical. This finish is combined with a refreshingly different understanding of colour combinations, which Wightman agonizes over, often repainting sections of his works many times in the pursuit of perfection before he is satisfied.
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Browen Sleigh is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Solo exhibitions include New Ground, Calgary University, Calgary, Canada (2007) and Natural Progression, Glasgow Print Studio, Glasgow (2005). Group shows include ARCHITECTURA, SUMARRIA LUNN (Denman Road/SE15), London, Salon, Whitecross Gallery, London (2009), Hot Off The Press, Curwen & New Academy Gallery, London (2009), Summer Show, Gallery Heinzel, Aberdeen (2006) and Urban Landscapes, Eye Two, Edinburgh (2006). The artist is recipient of a number of awards incuding the Alf Dun Award (2008), the Davis Langdon Award (2008) and the RCA Society/Thames & Hudson Book Prize (2008).
Yun-Kyung Jeong is a graduate of the Slade School of Fine Art. Groups shows include Long Nights, William Angel Gallery, London (2008), 4482: Korean Contemporary Art, Bargehouse, London (2008), Peacock Yard Project, 13 Peacock Yard, London (2008), Alsop Window, SFA Alsop Architecture, London (2007), MiKi, Gallery Cott, Seoul (2006), Funny Sight, Gallery Chang, Seoul (2005) and Uterus, Space Achim, Seoul (2005). Performances include 'See me' Lee Cambell Project, Bow Arts Trust, London (2008) and Notations 2008, UCL Research Centre, London (2008). The artist is recipient of a number of awards incuding the Renaissance Art Prize (2008) and the Foster Fletcher Prize (2008).
Ross Jones' solo exhibitions include New Works, William Angel Gallery, London (2009). Groups shows include Matt Roberts Arts Salon 08, VINEspace, London (2008), West Midlands Open, Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Wolverhampton (2008), Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, London (2007), Unfortunate Incidents, SE1 Gallery, London (2007) and the Celeste Art Prize, The Old Truman Brewery, London (2006). The artist is recipient of the Proof Award (2008) and was also awarded the regional prize for the west of England at the National Open Art competition (2008).
David Wightman is a graduate of Middlesex University and the Royal College of Art. Solo exhibitions include Aspirations, William Angel Gallery, London (2008). Group shows include Travelling Light, Wilson Williams Gallery/Pharos Gallery, Venice Biennale (2009), CUBE Open, CUBE (Centre for the Urban Built Environment), Manchester (2008), Beneath, Surface Gallery, Nottingham (2006), RCA Secret, Royal College of Art, London (2004) and Summer Show, Florence Trust, St. Saviour's, London (2004). The artist was a finalist at the Lexmark European Art Prize (2003) and is recipient of the Hunting Art Prize (2003).