Visual art exhibitions and events with a platform for critical writing
South Hall Gallery, Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Nottingham
14 January – 14 March
Reviewed by: S Mark Gubb
South Hall Gallery, Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery, Nottingham
14 January – 14 March
'Switches and Other Works' is a body of work by East Midlands-based artist Stephen Monger. It is an ongoing series, shown in part in 'EASTinternational' 2002 and in a more comprehensive form at the ImagoLucis Gallery in Portugal in September 2003. This is the first chance to see the series on any scale in the UK.
Initially, what we appear to have is a survey of the idiosyncrasies of exhibition installation at a range of institutions. On closer inspection we begin to realise that it is nothing so simple. Whilst we are all used to 'perfect' gallery spaces, these are a little too perfect and devoid of any human presence. Slowly we realise that these are model constructs, made and photographed in Monger's studio, with impeccable attention to detail.
Studio Window is exactly what it says: a converted mill-style window, slightly ajar, in a grubby white wall. Scrawled on the wall is what appears to be a pencil sketch of a cave painting. Knowing that these are constructs, and nothing we see is accidentally there, we are forced to ask why he has chosen to include this. We find ourselves drawing comparisons between Monger's activities and the earliest form of art known to man: the representation of the world in which man lived – an idea which could be readily applied to Monger's interpretations of the (art) world in which he chooses to exist.
Art about art can so often be nothing more than an in-joke, but Monger's photos transcend this, partly by being beautifully crafted, appealing to anyone with an appreciative eye, and partly by engaging in an irreverent wit, by questioning how we view 'art' – as confused man in the street or erstwhile critic.
Writer detail:
S Mark Gubb is an artist based in Nottingham.
smarkgubb@hotmail.com |
www.smarkgubb.com
Venue detail:
Nottingham Castle Museum and Art Gallery
off Maid Marian Way, Nottingham NG1 6EL
No one has commented on this article yet, why not be the first?
To post a comment you need to login
Back to top