Harry Pye
dal 23/3/2009 al 17/4/2009
Segnalato da
23/3/2009
Harry Pye
Sartorial Contemporary Art, London
Getting Better. For this project, Pye has made large scale work for the first time. He has also painted in oils for the first time and experimented with textiles. The theme of the exhibition is happiness.
'Getting Better' is Harry Pye's 2nd solo show at Sartorial. More than two years in the making,
this is the biggest selection of his work to date. Harry Pye: "The show is called Getting Better
because getting better is what I'm interested in doing. I know some people like to think that the
best art was made by tortured souls but sometimes happy people make great paintings too.
I have been lucky enough to collaborate with artists such as Hannah Armstrong, Billy Childish,
Marcus Cope, Luke Gottellier, Kes Richardson, Rowland Smith, and Geraldine Swayne. I think
this show contains the best paintings I've ever had a hand in making. It's a positive exhibition
and it's irony free. So why not come along, forget your troubles and get happy with me."
The Private View of 'Getting Better' co-incides with the launch of issue 5 of Sartorial's in
house publication, 'The Rebel' magazine. The new issue has been designed by Harry Pye with
help from Keith Sargent of Immprint. It features a revealing interview about art and religion
with Billy Childish and Geraldine Swayne, as well as photography by Mat Humphrey and
Charlie Dutton, new artwork by Gretta Sarfaty Marchant, and a new story by John Moseley.
Getting Better features the largest selection of Harry Pye's paintings to date.
The show features many special guest collaborators, including Hannah
Armstrong, Gordon Beswick, Billy Childish, Marcus Cope, Luke Gottelier,
Kes Richardson, Rowland Smith, and Geraldine Swayne. Pye has made large
scale work for the first time. He's also painted in oils for the first time and
experimented with textiles. The theme of the show is happiness.The old
Harry Pye may have seen himself as a tortured soul, but lately things have
started to get better.
Harry Pye's 2 nd solo show in the U.K. coincides with Easter, when Christians
believe Jesus rose from the dead. Several paintings in the exhibition depict
events in the life of Christ. Although Harry Pye doesn't believe in life after
death he has not made paintings that in any way mock Christian values or
suggest that Jesus didn't exist. Other paintings in the show are inspired by
Pye's own life and in particular his stay in Sao Paulo and Rio in 2008, the
artist's first holiday abroad in 20 years. He believes that events such as this
holiday, becoming an uncle, and turning 35 have made him happier. He feels
that Getting Better is a positive show featuring paintings by a man both
“confident in his own madness” and “in love with the world.”
Marvin Gaye once observed, “We are all sensitive people with so much to give.”
Over the last couple of years Harry's paintings have appeared in shows in
Brazil , Denmark , Australia , Italy and the U.S.A . Now it's your chance to
come to Kings Cross, see them in the flesh and really find out what Harry and
his friends have to offer. Sartorial Contemporary Art are delighted that issue 5
of their magazine, “The Rebel” has surfaced in time for the show. Half the
publication is devoted to Jesus – the greatest Rebel of all time. The rest of
the magazine is about Harry who welcomes you to his world with open arms.
Private View Tuesday 24 March 6.30 to 10pm
Sartorial Contemporary
26 Argyle Square - London
Free admission