Franko B
dal 2/4/2009 al 29/5/2009
Segnalato da
2/4/2009
Franko B
Globe Gallery City, Newcastle
Love in Times of Pain presents a series of never-before-seen objects characterized by the exclusive use of colour black. The themes evoked -life and its vanities, death, eroticism and pain- remain central to the artist's investigation. The show is an encounter with a haunting setting of found objects and stuffed animals all pasted over in dense black acrylic paint; birds, a squirrel, the head of a deer, a fox, a turtle, standing still and awaiting for the viewer, mounted on trolleys, tables and other pieces of furniture, also covered in thick black paint.
Love in Times of Pain presents a series of never-before-seen objects characterized by the exclusive use of colour black. The themes evoked – life and its vanities, death, eroticism and pain – remain central to the artist's investigation. Love in Times of Pain is an encounter with a haunting setting of found objects and stuffed animals all pasted over in dense black acrylic paint; birds, a squirrel, the head of a deer, a fox, a turtle, standing still and awaiting for the viewer, mounted on trolleys, tables and other pieces of furniture, also covered in thick black paint.
The animals standing high on their ‘pedestals’ become monumental, glorious; it is as if these creatures are rescued and given a new identity, another lease of life. Standing high, facing the viewer with splendour, they become life itself; and the layers of thick, impenetrable black paint, this absolute monochrome, which usually evokes death, remains there as a reminder of a previous sore existence.
Franko B was born in Milan and has lived in London since 1979. He has performed widely, including at Tate Modern, ICA, South London Gallery and Beaconsfield, and has presented work internationally in Moscow, Zagreb, Mexico City, Milan, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Copenhagen, Madrid and Vienna, Tate Liverpool, the Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels and the Crawford Municipal Gallery in Cork. Franko B lectures widely, including at St Martins School of Art, DasArt, New York University and the Courtauld Institute of Art. He has been the subject of three monographs, most recently, Blinded by Love (Ed. Dominic Johnson, Damiani 2006).
His recent shows include Posizione e Deposizione – Franko B and Zhang Huan, Galleria Pack, Milan (15th April – 15th September 2008), The Golden Age – Franko B, LipanjePuntin Arte Contemporanea, Rome (25th September – 25th November 2008) and I’m thinking of You, Galleria changing role, Naples (22nd November 2008 – 9th February 2009). From January 2009, he has been appointed Professor of Sculpture at the Accademia Di Belle Arti [school of fine art], Macerata Italy.
Franko's new performance work entitled ‘I’m Thinking of You’ with music by Helen Ottoway was first presented at the National Review of Live Art in Glasgow on the 13th February 2009. 'I’m Thinking of You’ presents a surreal, dreamlike image, a romantic vision of childhood fantasy and abandon.
Artist’s talk 11.00am Friday 3rd April
Places are limited so booking is essential info@globegallery.org
Exhibition preview on Friday 3rd April, from 6pm to 8pm
Globe Gallery City
4th Floor, Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 6UQ.
Opening Times: Wednesday - Saturday 11.30am - 5.00pm