Thru 15 June 2012
Capturing the forgotten alchemy of a medium often considered to serve a purely documentary function, Alexander James creates meticulously crafted scenes immersed in dark tanks of water. For the most part he destroys these creations, leaving behind only the medium format transparencies as documents of these acts.
Through careful manipulation of water and light and without the use of postproduction techniques, the artist has produced a new series of photographic works that weave a deviant historical thread between the mechanical reproduction of today’s image making and the meticulous realism and existential gaze of painters such as Pieter Claesz of the 16th Century Vanitas tradition of painting.
With direct reference to the classical paintings ‘Ophelia’ (1851-52) by John Everett Millais and ‘La Jeune Martyre’ (1855) by Paul De La Roche, ‘A beautiful announcement of death’ takes the tragic story of Hamlet’s Ophelia as a central focus, drawing also a comparison with Alexander James’ own personal experience of a former lover’s suicide.
Follow
15 Bateman St, London, Greater London W1D 3AQ, UK. + 44 (0) 20 7734 9283. http://www.pertweeandersongold.com/
Monday to Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday 12-5pm.
Pertwee Anderson & Gold is a newly established art gallery in the heart of London’s West End. Working openly in collaboration with artists and like minded creative organisations, we deliver a constantly evolving program of forward thinking art exhibitions. Our Soho gallery is open to the public from Monday to Saturday and all visitors are welcome.
About · Contact · Team · Press · Terms of Service · Privacy Policy · Copyright © 2010 - 2013 ArtSpotter Ltd. All rights reserved.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our Blog