Exhibition
in London / United Kingdom
-
- © Sarah Jeffries
-
- Mike Bartlett, 2019
The mediality of images involves a two-fold body reference. First, we conceive of media as symbolic or virtual bodies, second, the media inscribe themselves upon our body experience and teach us self-perception or self-oblivion: in other words, they both remind us of our own body and make us forget it. As a result we are primed to knowledge picture as different kinds of bodies. (Hans Belting, “An Anthropology of Image”)
In this show, which encompasses opposites and perceptions of bodies and mediums, both artists visually explore the image but in different ways. Bartlett reports on the nature and narrative of image through the creation of a visual third space in painting, while Jeffries dismantles and reconstructs existing media imagery to disrupt the dominant order of media imagery.
Mike Bartlett‘s framed paintings are being given a resurrection from their first showing here at the Transition Gallery in 2005. These reportage paintings are created from photographs of his experiences whilst being in and around the space of Transition Gallery; this continues in his recent unframed paintings; but now Bartlett uses a stenciling technique to take traced imprints off his printed photographic images. This process mimics the act of images imprinting on to our memories and our psyches. Bartlett adds an emotional dimension to his captured images through his painting processes, which highlights how unique each human experience and interpretation of the same image can be, compared to the generic nature of the technological eye of a digital camera.
Sarah Jeffries reinvents found media images originating in fashion and lifestyle magazines, adopting a deconstructing and reconstructing method of approach with an atmosphere of critique for each image she works with. These collage pieces form part of a wider PhD project where she is exploring the construction of gender through the image. The works are conceptual pieces derived from gender and image theory, and culminate in visual explorations of our complex relationship with the image, within our modern way of life. Jeffries’ photographic collages seek to interrupt the intended service of media imagery, with a view to opening up a questioning approach about their existence.
Like fashion and technology, images are constantly changing around us, but does the Self change with these reinventions?
Mike Bartlett studied at Portsmouth School of Fine Art where in 2005 he obtained a first-class BA Hons in Fine Art. Since then his work has been exhibited regularly in the UK and abroad: including exhibitions at the Royal College of Art, Transition Gallery, CA Projects, Gasp Gallery, The Cello Factory, Gallery in Cork Street (London) the Stone Gallery, Oisin Gallery (Dublin), Millais Gallery Project Space (Southampton), Mantle Arts (Leicester), Yellow Gallery (Varese, Italy). Bartlett’s work features in a number of international collections, notably in the USA, France, Italy and Indonesia. Bartlett also holds a BA in Education and has taught Art Courses in both Special Education and Further Education.
Sarah Jeffries graduated from the MA Painting School at Royal College of Art in 2004. Her has had four international solo shows: in Italy, London and Belgium, and has been included in numerous group shows in London, Berlin and Italy. She is currently undertaking PhD research in Visual Arts, at Southampton Solent University, where she is also a visiting lecturer. Recent exhibitions include; “Indoor Voices” curated by Graham Crowley at Greystone Industries, Suffolk, 2019; “LANDSCAPE” curated by Gareth Kemp at Sluice Exchange, Berlin 2018, “Transcendence”, The Cello Factory, London, 2018; “Connect/Disconnect”, Watch This Space Gallery, Hampshire, 2017; “The Cat Show”, PAPER Gallery, Manchester, 2016; “The Zeitgeist Open”, ZAP, London, 2012. Her work is also included in the Royal College of Art College Collection.
Gallery hours Fri – Sun 12 – 6 pm
Location:
Transition Two
110a Lauriston Road
E9 7HA London
United Kingdom
