Visual art exhibitions and events with a platform for critical writing
Foyer Gallery, Aberdeen
7 May – 30 June
Reviewed by: Kerry Russell
Having seen a selection of Colin Brown’s earlier work from the late 1990s in a catalogue of his exhibition in Hanover, I was sure I knew what to expect from his latest work on display at The Foyer Restaurant and Gallery, Aberdeen. However, his earlier landscape inspired collages of rich autumnal colours and painterly expressionism have evolved into a much more contemporary, bold and Pop Art-influenced series of mixed media works. Bright pinks and lime greens replace the richer yellows and blues of his earlier work and the artist seems much more concerned with the materials used, favouring to almost eliminate paint altogether. The result is a more ‘punchy’, modern and youthful series of collages that looked ideally suited to the minimalist décor of the restaurant and gallery space.
Although there is a clear American influence in Colin Brown’s work, which is manifested in the Pop Art feel, the Abstract Expressionist surface and also the reference to Charles Demuth’s Number 5 in Gold, the feel of the exhibition is distinctly European. This is due to the use of French and German text and materials. Ripped up posters, adverts, flyers and snippets from magazines display European images and make reference to such diverse sources as Mozart through Dadaism to current popular bands. Music and art play a key role in the artist’s collages. Yet this very use of found and torn material gives the works an urban and contemporary urgency. For me, it was exciting to see an established artist so willing to embrace modern urban society, especially when his older work showed no signs of this direction. There is a definite vibrancy and freedom to these collages that is sure to capture audiences both old and new.
Writer detail:
Kerry Russell
Venue detail:
Foyer Restaurant and Gallery (The)
Trinity Church, 82a Crown Street, Aberdeen AB11 6ET
No one has commented on this article yet, why not be the first?
To post a comment you need to login
Back to top