Roland Hicks  ||  New Paintings  ||  97-99 Sclater Street  ||  06.11 - 07.12.1999 ||   scroll right to see images - click to enlarge
 
 

Roland Hicks paints mundane and small objects, items of no intrinsic value that people possess, such as lighters and keys. At a distance the images conform the conventions of photo realism but as one approaches the pristine surfaces begin to disintegrate, rather like a digital enlargement, as the paint begins to assert itself as the dominant theme of the painting. His latest paintings deal more specifically with instruments of personal hygiene, which show signs of use. Here he touches on another realm of meaning, that of purity and danger. They evoke both the body and its margins, and our refer to our ongoing struggle to maintain order. Grooming is one of the first and most universal cultural activities. Each item is placed on the floor, lost or discarded, or just dropped. They evoke memories of dingy student lodgings. But these are not simply exercises nostalgia or conventional super realism. Hicks's painting are equally an examination of still life and photographic conventions. The use of depth of field, as well as marooning the objects within the canvas, draw attention to the images mechanical derivation, denying a more romantic reading. Roland Hicks studied his MA in Slade School of Art. After graduating in 1996 he has shown in numerous group shows including 'Viva Chihuahua!' at the Tannery, London, and 'Romatische Stratigien' at Albatros 515, Berlin. Hick's work appeared in this year's NatWest prize and has ssince been collected by some major collections. This will be the artist's first solo exhibition and forms part of Fresh Paint, the gallery's painting programme.

Venue:  97-99  Sclater Street London  E1 UK

Dates:  6th Nov - 12th Dec 1999 ||  Thurs - Sun 1 - 5pm || and by appointment

Opening:  Saturday 6th Nov 1999 ||  7 - 10pm

Press contact:  Alfred Camp  || E.mail: alfred@97-99.com ||  Tel: +44 (0)20-7729 9498
 

This exhibition is supported by:

LR Brand cigarettes || Black Bush Whiskey || Greenleaf Hemp Lager || Solé Mineral Water
 

Press Information Compiled: 19.11.1999