Gareth Jones

About

For his first major solo exhibition in a UK public gallery, Gareth Jones (born 1965) explores how identity is constructed through architecture, advertising and art. Describing the exhibition as ‘a retrospective of new work', the artist revisits earlier projects and filters them through his experience of growing up in Milton Keynes in the 1970s. In the Cube Gallery, Jones presents New City, 2011, a digital artwork made using a sequence of publicity photographs commissioned by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation to sell the city to its future citizens. These images, carefully selected by the artist during an extended period of research in the city, celebrate the Modernist architecture that quickly came to define Milton Keynes. In the Middle Gallery, three structures - variations on a 30 x 30 x 30 cm cube - appear sliced, halved and opened. These works use everyday materials to conjure memories of avant-garde public sculpture in the city. In the Long Gallery, Jones presents a single-room installation of framed magazine pages - as found in colour supplements collected by the artist during the 1970s - that feature adverts for Gitanes cigarettes. Jones explores the politics of desire as suave male models pose with this classic brand, exuding the glamour and decadence of the decade. In the entrance space, Jones shows two new pieces of printed matter: a multi-view postcard of an ideal city and a free poster. Both works restore found publicity material to visibility, a theme that recurs throughout the exhibition. Gareth Jones has curated a programme of talks, films and events to accompany his exhibition. All talks and film screenings start at 6.30pm and pre-booking is required. Talk tickets are free; film tickets cost £5 (concessions £3). Bookings on T: +44 (0)1908 676 900. Friday Night Films A programme of films spanning the years 1944 to1994, a fifty year period that saw the emergence of the welfare state, the birth of Milton Keynes and the eventual dominance of neo-liberalism as an economic philosophy. Jones will introduce the screening of 'Cabaret' on 15 April. Presented in collaboration with Independent Cinema MK. For full programme listings please visit www.mkgallery.org. Talks Programme Thursday 5 May 2011 Talk: Derek Walker on the Milton Keynes Team A rare opportunity to hear Walker, Chief Architect and Planner of Milton Keynes (1970-76) speak about the original Milton Keynes design team. Thursday 26 May 2011 Talk: What about having our future Back? Discussion with architectural critic Owen Hatherley, architect Derek Walker, and artists Liliane Lijn and Gareth Jones. Thursday 9 June 2011 Talk: Gareth Jones and Michael Bracewell in Conversation Hear artist Gareth Jones discuss his work with writer, novelist and cultural commentator Michael Bracewell. Tuesday 21 June 2011 (Summer Solstice) Talk: Community in Art Participants include artists Boyd & Evans and Roger Kitchen, co-founder of The Living Archive. Closing Event Friday 24 June 2011: On the final weekend of the exhibition Gareth Jones will introduce the screening of an additional work specially produced for MK Gallery. Details to be announced.