Category: Art
Modern Times
Fittingly for work dealing with the physiological trauma apparently inherent to British Suburbia, Andrew Curtis' exhibition at PayneShurvell is introduced by a quote from JG Ballard.
“Suburban life is a big strain, you know… To maintain this fabric of absolute normaility requires powerful repressive forces –all these double glazing and patio doors are sustained by a huge effort of will.”
Andrew Curtis' photographs document the strain it takes to maintain this notion of normality everyday. Suburban life is photographed in the same mundane manner as estate agents, who require their images to perpetuate the romantic symbol of owning your own home.
By highlighting the presence of the Monkey Puzzle Tree or the Torbay Palm through overpainting the photograph, that artist transforms a common garden tree into something subliming overwhelming.
Curtis' unnerving images pulsate with the wild undercurrents hiding behind each closed door. In pictures such as Modern Times (see top), a reproduction from a newspaper, Curtis asks the viewer to question what it is we will accept as normal in the sense that it is, none of our business.
An absolutely unmissible exhibition, if your free this evening, (7th October) why not head down to PayneShurvell for First Thursday?
The gallery is open Wednesday -Saturday 11:00 a.m – 6:00 pm
Please check their website for directions.