CITIZEN 1st May @ Tactile Bosch

Painting, Printmaking and Drawing has developed dramatically over the last century as artists continually redefine and reinterpret the three mediums, exercising new approaches to form and subject matter that in turn breeds fresh stylistic interpretation. This continued evolution has meant that these three age-old mediums are as relevant as ever, with there now existing almost as many aesthetic styles and conceptual approaches as there are practitioners.
CITIZEN is the 2010 instalment of tactileBOSCH Gallery & Studios annual painting, print and drawing showcase. The exhibition consist of a broad cross section of the different styles and approaches taken to these age old mediums and is testament to their continued strength, vitality, relevance and diversification.
The Exhibition will exhibit new work by 24 artists from various geographical backgrounds that will act as a cross section of the three mediums, shedding light on current approaches to form and content. CITIZEN will consist of work by emerging artists such as Geraint Evans whose stark mono-prints depict instances of large-scale industrial destruction. Work by established artists such as Sonja Benskin-Mesher whose abstract oil paintings juxtapose flashes of bright pigment against sullen fields of grey. Work by Welsh Based artists such as Freya Dooley whose expressive life-size charcoals on paper drawings portray the nude model. Work by international artists such as Gabriel Leger from France whose diagrammatical drawings on graph paper are permeated with both humour and narrative. Work by those that deal with the mediums in a traditional light such as Catherine Ade whose screen prints depict gloomy figures on a commuter train. Work by those who exploit and extend the mediums definition such as Julie Fagen whose digital prints portray bizarre dream like structural compositions.
Spread over three buildings in an old Victorian Laundry House the galleries vision for CITIZEN is to bring a selection of established international artists to the Welsh capitol as well as provide a platform for emerging local talent to showcase their practice. The vast, naturally lit space is not the traditional white wall gallery venue many of the artists would have imagined when developing their work and will create a new and unique way to view each piece. With the addition of Performance Art and Music on the opening night the gallery will be transformed into a living, breathing environment, capable of producing an innovatory dialogue between artist, curator, gallery and audience.

Dissent & Disorder, Utility & Construction

Words by Neil Jeffries