The Pursuit of Perfection: West London’s Griffin Gallery Presents Second Group Exhibition Exploring ‘Perfectionism (part II.)’

  • West London’s Griffin Gallery presents the second part of an exhibition series exploring the concept of perfectionism in artistic practice, ‘Perfectionism (part II.)’
  • Showcasing a selection of work by eleven artists, including Juan Bolivar, Gary Colclough and , amongst others
  • The exhibition will run from 8 October – 13 November 2015
  • Press Preview: Wednesday 7 October at Griffin Gallery, 21 Evesham Street, London W11 4AJ0

West London’s Griffin Gallery are proud to present their latest group exhibition, Perfectionism (part II.), exploring the artistic processes towards the concept of perfection. 

The first edition, Perfectionism (part I.) sought to bring together a collection of British artists who reflected a shift in artistic practice from 20th century conceptualism towards a focus on materials, precision and technical skill. In the second edition we see this further explored with a new found emphasis on the contradictory nature of manual production.

For this edition, curated by Becca Pelly- Fry, Director of Griffin Gallery, the focus turns towards the act of repetition.  The group show exhibits a range of artists whose practice encompasses a repeated action (or set of actions), or a repeated image. Pelly-Fry explores the concept of perfectionism as a rebellion against the readymade, the ‘thrown together’ and the disorganised.

Perfectionism (part II.) comprises of eleven British artists, who through repetition, create dialogue, pose questions, and seek the limits of themselves. Practice makes perfect.  Or practice makes imperfect?

Each artist has produced an original work responding to repetition and the artistic questions it inspires. In this digital age of perfect rendering, it is imperfection that we can relate to. The exhibition aims not only to present a selection of compelling new work, but also highlight the extensive process behind the pieces. Situated in the headquarters of world-leading fine art materials brands Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté à Paris, Griffin Gallery explores the relationship between materiality and artistic concept.

Ben Gooding, artist and author of ‘A Thought on Perfection and Art…’ says: There is a certain rigorous ambition evident in the immaculate finish of the works exhibited here that suggests a deep concern with achieving that indefatigable quality one might tentatively venture to term ‘perfection’. It is the nature of this ideal, as well as a keen awareness of its failure to become realised, that provides a focus for this exhibition.”

Kate Terry, ‘Perfectionism (part II.)’ exhibiting artist says:My works explore the interplay of the handcrafted in relation to repetitious and serial forms and gestures. My sculptures consider concerns of weight and presence with direct emphasis on their physicality, form and colour.”

Contacts:

Griffin Gallery

Rebecca Pelly-Fry
r.pelly-fry@colart.co.uk
0208 424 3341

Social

@GalleryGriffin

#Perfectionism

Exhibiting Artists

Alice Anderson is inspired by the digital revolution, keeping tabs on it by crystallizing its phases through meticulous binding of objects with fine copper wire. Anderson’s performances and sculptures have been shown at the Freud Museum London 2011, Whitechapel Art Gallery London 2012, 55th Venice Biennale 2013, Espace Culturel Louis Vuitton Paris, 2014, Wellcome Collection, London 2015.

Juan Bolivar’s work sits squarely between abstract geometry and figurative representation.  He presents immaculately articulated images that address the most serious of formal concerns within painting, juxtaposed with silly and populist references.His work is serious, astute, silly and ridiculous all at once.

Charlotte Bracegirdle is fascinated by how much of an image you can remove and still have something to see. Her practice appropriates pre-existing images from Old Masters and 20th Century Photographic printed reproductions, carefully painting-out sections of the prints to reveal other aspects of the image.

Gary Colclough often begins his works by thinking about the interaction of image and sculpture. Colclough is interested in how re-making and re-framing works can suggest new meanings and possibilities.

Nicolas K Feldmeyer opens a contemplative perspective onto the world through his work. Primarily concerned with space, light and geometry and working in a wide range of media, Feldmeyer articulates a quiet quest for that which lies beyond or before words.

Adam Fenton describes himself as a traditional English landscape painter, where painting is a performance. He does not aim to just make ‘pretty’ pictures but incorporates all the splendour and bravado of the traditional practice.

Matthew Gibson uses painting to ‘re-align’ where we live and work as a means of imagining space, investigating the extent to which we co-operate with architecture and its furnishings.

Jane Harris simultaneously reveals and conceals aspects of her work. Based on the deceptively simple geometry of the elliptical form, they defy easy categorisation, operating in an arena somewhere between the abstract and representation. Harris’ approach is calculated, exact and rigorous.

Helen Macalister explores specific cultural and political history through her elegant, reductive art. Macalister depicts landscapes aligned with single words or phrases in a visual encapsulation, which fuses word and image metaphorically. Macalister is interested in to what extent her works are documents.

Wendy Smith is rooted in drawing. Drawing allows Smith to be almost self-sufficient and most importantly, line provides an endless source of fascination for the artist. Smith’s work has been shown at the Royal Academy, ICA, APT and DOMOBAALgalleries in London, Kettle’s Yard in Cambridge andMusee des Beaux Arts de Dunkerque in France.

Kate Terry explores the interplay of the handcrafted in relation to repetitious and serial forms and gestures. Terry’s sculptures consider concerns of weight and presence with direct emphasis on their physicality, form and colour.

About Griffin Gallery

Griffin Gallery is a gallery in West London supporting cutting-edge talent, hosting discussions and celebrating the best in contemporary art in London and around the world through a new award, the Griffin Art Prize.

A particular focus for the Griffin is the championing of craftsmanship across all contemporary art disciplines. Situated underneath the headquarters of world-leading fine art materials brands Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté à Paris, the Gallery is home to an extensive series of events for artists and arts professionals, including expert talks discussing techniques and advice, running alongside the main exhibition programme.

The Studio Building houses not only the Griffin Gallery, but also an Innovation and Development Laboratory and two purpose-built artists’ studios. The Gallery occasionally hosts workshops in the development studio where invited artists can use cutting-edge art materials created by resident chemists. This bridges science and art with the latest art materials and colours made using the world’s best raw materials, which go on to be sold worldwide.

This independent gallery is under the Directorship of Becca Pelly-Fry.

Opening Times:

Monday - 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday - 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday - 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday - 10:00 - 17:00
Friday - 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday – Closed
Sunday – Closed

Further information:

Gallery Website: http://griffingallery.co.uk 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GalleryGriffin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griffingalleryuk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/GriffinGalleryUK

Instagram: https://instagram.com/gallerygriffin/