Beaupump at Dynamite Gallery - Brighton

Brighton, Brighton, Brighton. Last Saturday I had the pleasure of visiting Brighton and wandering through its streets I discovered the hidden gem known as the Dynamite gallery. The main exhibition at Dynamite features works from two exciting, bizarre, beautiful local artists; Lost and foundry (Maxine Michaelides) and Salty De Soufflé. Beaupump was the name of the show.

Salty De Soufflé, St. Teatime, Patron Saint of Biccies, Mixed media

I was particularly interested in De Soufflé's mixed media work. One can summarise De Soufflé as an artist rescuing unwanted old paintings and giving them an extreme makeover - postmodern edition, incorporating kitsch/pop imagery in flamboyant arrangements. The resulting artworks reflect an ingenious way of recycling art, turning them to exciting-politically incorrect images. 

A combination of De Soufflé's playful mixed media collages with imaginative lighting-installations by Lost and Foundry, Beaupump sends the audience off to a journey down an anything-goes pop nostalgia - rabbit hole. Beaupump is on until September 27, so do fall down that rabbit hole and discover the creative talent that resides in Brighton. 

Westminster Graduate Showcase 2015

Today I had the pleasure of visiting the 2015 Westminster Graduate Showcase at London Gallery West, featuring outstanding work from Westminster University graduates. I am pleased to announce that my work was featured in this show, making me feel honoured.

In order from left to right: Helena Collins, Brace Yourself, 2015, Jesmonite, steel and plaster. | Jamie Shaw, Where did you go?, 2015, Oil on canvas. Jamie Shaw, The forever-place of dreams, 2015, Oil on canvas.

 I was delighted to see some work from Jamie Shaw - a bold young painter who is never afraid of what anyone says. His most recent work titled Where did you go?  depicts thematics of heartbreak evocative of the sweet growing pains a queer male goes through in a city of countless possibilities when it comes to dating, sex and love. 

Shaw's work sits beautifully with the work of recent graduate Helena Collins, which offers a breathtaking testament of internalised suffering and its manifestation as physical pain. Pieces like Brace yourself are indicative of how Collin's physical pain is restrained by external forces.

In order from left to right:  Antonis Sideras, 2015, Look at me, Archival pigment inkon canson photosatin premium RC270 gsm. Gosia Stasiewicz, 2015, Awkwardness, Photography. 

In order from left to right:  Antonis Sideras, 2015, Look at me, Archival pigment inkon canson photosatin premium RC270 gsm. Gosia Stasiewicz, 2015, Awkwardness, Photography. 

I was also mesmerised by Gosia Stasiewicz's series of photographs titled Awkwardness, which depicts staged awkwardness; Stasiewicz asked the nude sitters to channel awkwardness through their poses when confronted by the lens. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these photographs is not capturing the unique beauty of each individual's awkwardness, but rather the way in which the notion of awkwardness leaps from the photographs, onto the spectator's mind. In other words, the awkward response Stasiewicz's uncomfortable nudes create when encountered by the average spectator. 

My series of photomontages titled Look at me is exhibited next to Stasiewicz's photographs, forming an interesting dialogue revolving around topics of body image integrity. Displayed on a horizontal line running along the length of the wall, the Look at me photomontages seem to come alive, revealing a story of opening up to an audience and its effect on the performer's psyche. 

Overall, the Westminster Graduate Showcase lives up to its expectations sporting some stimulating work from Westminste's Art and Design graduates.

Pride in the House Art Prize

Two weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of exhibiting my work at the Lauderdale House, being one of the finalists for the 'Pride in the House' 2015 Art Prize. The prize focuses on the work of queer artists and their relevance to our contemporary culture and art. 

I was ecstatic to find that I was the overall winner of the prize, which entails that I will be returning to the Lauderdale house for a solo show! How exciting!

I would like to thank my partner for all the help and support and the Lauderdale House for supporting emerging artists. 

Antonis Sideras, 2015, Look at me, Archival pigment inkon canson photosatin premium RC 270gsm, Lauderdale House.

The exhibition is on until the Sunday, September 12. 

You can watch a feature of the show at London live here.

Stay tuned for plans for the solo show! 

Absence of the Artist - Keith Arnatt's show at the Spruth Magers Gallery

Today I had the pleasure of visiting Keith Arnatt's show titled 'Absence of the Artist' at the Spruth Magers Gallery.

The first object one encounters when entering the gallery space is a piece of text by Arnatt stating that he did nothing for this show. The challenging-to-follow text opens up various interpretations of how his absence can be either perceived as a form of contribution to the exhibit or not.

Contrasting the piece of text, the rest of the show was comprised of an assemblage of light sequential imagery portraying Arnatt's absence from his work in an effortless yet humorous manner; From illustrating the artist being buried in the ground and eating his words, to documenting the remnants of public urination, Arnatt's photographic work examines the multifaceted pictorial manifestation of the artist's absence from his work.

A must see show ending on the 26th of September.