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14/9/2011

Ben Turnbull

Eleven Fine Art, London

Eleven is delighted to present a new series of collages by Ben Turnbull, entitled Supermen, which constructs modern day heroes from collaged fragments of vintage comic book idols. On the advent of the ten year anniversary of 9/11, Turnbull celebrates the real life heroes, the firemen (see Hero 2, 2010 above), and policemen who protect us everyday, in iconic new images meticulously constructed from fragments of fictional superheroes including Captain America, Daredevil, and The Fantastic Four as well as Batman, Spiderman, and the Hulk. The palette of red, white and blue that predominates in the work and gives form to these figures reflects the depth of their patriotism and willingness to serve.

Turnbull celebrates the real heroic strength which exists outside the pages of comic books and examines who we look to for protection from an early age to adulthood. He comments, ‘the life- changing events of 9/11 led us all to believe in the need for real life superheroes. Superman didn’t fly down to save the falling buildings, there was no Caped Crusader ready to do battle with the arch-enemy and Spidey didn’t spin his web. Without the need of a phone-booth or a revolving door these true patriots donned their iconic costumes and sacrificed life and limb for what they believed in. With every cut-comic hero and dialogue I hope to bring out the true merits of the Brave and the Bold in their fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way.’

In his studio Turnbull is surrounded by all the things he has collected over the years, including toy guns and comics; these become his tools when he responds to events like Columbine or the Virginia Tech massacre.

He has made numerous works using super hero figures in the past, and has been collecting comics since he was 11 or 12. This new series of works is made from fragments of over 1000 pre-1990s comics, the ones that Turnbull read as a child, and created by his own heroes including Jack Kirby, Sal Buscema and Steve Ditko.

Turnbull’s work has been collected nationally and internationally and has been featured in numerous publications. His latest exhibitions include: A.C.M.E presented by Paul Smith and Eleven in 2010, I Don’t Like Mondays, Eleven, London 2009, A Nightmare on Greek St, Lazarides Gallery, London, 2008 and Outsiders, Lazarides Gallery, London, 2008. In March 2010, Ben Turnbull had a solo presentation at Volta, New York. A collage from the series was recently featured in Eleven’s Brit Pop exhibition alongside work by Peter Blake, Natasha Law and Jonathan Yeo.

Image: Ben Turnbull, Patriots, 2011

For further press information and images contact:
Elizabeth DuBois, +44 20 7183 3577 or email elizabeth@suttonpr.com

Private View: Thursday 15 September 2011, 6 - 8:30pm

Eleven
11 Eccleston Street, London, SW1W 9LX
Opening hours: Tues, Wed, Friday 11am-6pm; Thursday 11am-7pm; Saturday 11-4pm Admission: Free

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