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15/4/2002

Andrew Lewis

Iniva - Institute of International Visual Arts, London

Systems

Andrew Lewis' sculptural work explores the impact of urban systems on everyday lives. Via a mixture of political engagement, consummate craftwork and a wayward sense of humour, Lewis exposes the gap between the true nature of multi-racial Britain and the tourist industry's pastoral idea of the nation.

Systems, Lewis' solo show at TheSpace@inIVA, features newly commissioned projects. Southern Hospitality is realised in fired ceramic, which represents a 'new media' for Lewis. A clutch of houses, typical of vernacular seafront architecture of the southern English coast, nestles at the bottom of a cliff. A white precipice overhangs this terrace of homeliness, whilst the waves lap ominously below. Here, Lewis defines the quintessential folk image of Britain, but this landscape is embedded with reactionary forces that frequently whip up anti-asylum hysteria.

In White Van Men, twelve replica white transit vans are jammed together in the middle of a road junction. Originally representing the ubiquitous mode of transport for the Thatcherite small business operator, Lewis meshes a potentially inflammatory road rage situation with lovingly crafted, finely detailed handiwork.

Whilst engaging with beauty and humour in equal measure, Lewis observes and documents a contemporary Britain that is wholly at odds with the high-tech, post-industrial country it wants to be.

Andrew Lewis lives and works in Croydon. In the early 1990s he trained as an architect at North London University and the Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow. Recently Lewis has been showing work in gallery spaces, and his previous solo exhibitions include Ark Royal with Cheese, Laurent Delaye Gallery, London and The Spatial Awareness Show, fig-1, London.

Notes:
Andrew Lewis: Systems is part of inIVA's 2002 Jubilee Season, a cluster of visual arts projects for 2002. jubilee takes another view of contemporary Britain: at its place in global culture and at new ways of representing its constituents through the visual arts. jubilee seeks to engage with internationalism and what it means from a British perspective.

inIVA creates exhibitions, publications, multimedia, education and research projects. Each project is designed to bring the work of artists from culturally diverse backgrounds to the attention of the widest possible public.

space open: Wed - Fri 12noon - 6pm

preview: Tuesday 16 April, 6pm - 8pm

For additional press information or images please contact Stuart Croft (Press):
tel: +44 (0)20 7729 9616

TheSpace@inIVA
6-8 Standard Place Rivington Street London EC2A 3BE UK

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