So it’s been a while since I’ve reviewed an exhibition, let alone been to one. A couple of days ago the opportunity arrived in my inbox, a chance to check out a few exhibitions and write about them. I’m normally not one for fine art exhibitions (my knowledge ranges from Warhol to.. well that’s about it really), however the chance to extend my attention span from the several split seconds our generation spends on each image on the internet sounded like a good idea.

A little google image search to refresh my memory, and I was ready to head over to the Rod Barton gallery in Angel, London to see Innerer Klang (inner sound); An exhibition inspired by the works of Kandinsky.

Rod Barton Gallery

Located a stone’s throw away from Angel station, the gallery is a modest and small space but it serves the purpose – perfectly lit, and there to display the art. Just like it should be.
Before I put pen to paper and scribble away frantically, I had a chat with Irene Bradbury, the curator of the exhibition. I discover that the exhibition’s goal was to question ‘systems of belief, whether religious, mystical or the occult.” By incorporating both ancient and modern spiritual symbols, geometric patterns and natural shapes, that is what the artists have explored.

Upon entrance the first piece that is visible is “Achieva” by Tim Phillips (pictured above) – an intricately loud mixed media piece incorporating materials of all sorts, from glass and dark wood to plants and even Swarovski crystals. Combined in a silhouette mildly resembling the human form, it appears to be a fusion of man and woman; An androgynous figure containing the sexual counterparts of neither sex. An artifical pot of flowers representing possible blossoming sexuality. An intertwined symbol lies in the middle, encompassing all aspects of itself , unto itself. Phillips is described as manufacturing “an ambivalent union between worlds of culture and belief, commercialism and the archaic forms of religious authority”.

Culture As Nature II (Gloomy) 2009, Luke Dowd

No 217, 2009 - Henrijs Preiss

A brief scan around and I see pop-art inspired pieces, layered acryclic paintings and finally watercolour paintings. I am least blown away by the watercolour paintings (Berthold Reiss, below) and so it is these that I decide to pursue further. Upon closer inspection, the detail is nothing short of incredible. Delicate. The interesting symbology and fusion of nature and architechture (Reiss draws his inspiration from churches) makes them beautiful, arguably questioning and touching base with subjects such as heaven and hell, alternative realms and planes of existence.

The other pieces shown interpret the theme very differently, although often working around the same geometric ideas and shapes. ‘Silent’ by Andrew Palmer is a more surreal piece, and Luke Dowd’s three pieces are complementing to each other yet extremely unique, playing with different compositions, colour palettes and textures.

As usual, most things are better seen in real; To represent these works of art in pixels would simply be insulting.

Check it out for yourself – the exhibition is on until 31.10.09.

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ROD BARTON
One Paget Street,
London EC1V 7PA
Tel: 07989437214

Open Saturday 12 – 6pm or by appointment.
Nearest Tube: Angel

Jeff Hahn