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1/6/2005

Graham Little

Alison Jacques Gallery, London

“Using colored pencils to suffuse his subjects in chromatically saturated atmospheres, Graham Little manages to connect his generic mannequins of the latest fashion to the venerable tradition of the female allegorical figure: clad in costumes and posed evocatively, Graham’s runway models can be seen as contemporary embodiments of the classical humors, the virtues, or even the seasons.” Laura Hoptman, Drawing Now: Eight Propositions, Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2002

Alison Jacques Gallery is pleased to announce a solo show of new work by British artist Graham Little. The exhibition will consist of a new series of works on paper drawn with colour pencil and gouache.

The new drawings depicts women in domestic interiors and abstract environments using imagery sourced from 1980’s fashion magazine advertisements. Shown lying, sitting, or standing in quiet contemplation; these doll-like, glamorously dressed women often project a sense of deep isolation. The previous series of works on paper shown at the gallery in 2003 featured models on roller skates and skateboards all precariously balanced on plinths. These women projected a distant air in comparison with the new work in which the protagonists are more real with a suggestion of emotion and narrative.

Previously, Little has worked exclusively with images of lone figures but in this new series two characters start to appear. Two girls play by a piano in matching stripy sylph-like outfits whilst in another work two women in striking indigo blue outfits and ornate brooches communicate an air of aristocracy. The suggestion of emotion is also present in these doppelganger portraits where the implication is one of twins or sisters with a subtle undertone that these in fact could be the same person or perhaps an apparition alongside the mortal person.

Props lend an idea of narrative to the new works: a girl with a telephone holding a typewriter, a crouching figure watching television, a glamorously dressed lady warming her hands with a cup of tea while gazing out of a window, as well as backgrounds featuring art deco architecture, triangular lamps, baroque mirrors and a checkerboard floor. These details encourage the viewer to empathize with the women and speculate about their lives.

Graham Little was born in Scotland (1972) and graduated from Goldsmiths College (1996). Since then, he has exhibited internationally including solo shows at Camden Arts Centre and Works on Paper, Los Angeles (2002). Museum exhibitions include: Drawing Now: Eight Propositions, MOMA, New York (2002), Images of Society, Kunstmuseum Thun, Switzerland (2003) and Collage, Bloomburg Space, London (2004). Work in museum collections includes MOCA, Los Angeles; MOMA, New York and The Guggenheim, New York. Graham Little is currently exhibiting in Works on Paper, Max Hetzler Galerie, Berlin and the Prague Biennale. Forthcoming shows include Girls on Film, Zwirner & Wirth, New York (2005). Forthcoming publications include Vitamin D, Phaidon Press (2005).

Image:
Untitled
2005
gouache and coloured pencil on paper,framed
77.5 x 120 cms / 30 1/2 x 47 ins

Private View: Wednesday 1 June, 6 - 8 pm

Alison Jacques Gallery
4 Clifford Street
London W1X 1RB
Open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 6pm

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