Meander

About

Since 2013, they have been sharing a studio in East London. Although there is no intentional collaboration, subjects of disregarded conditions and objects and documentary observation meander through both artists work.

The series of paintings presented by Henry Byrne are urban still life's of objects and settings, with a focus on the open-ended subject of waste and rubbish. The images are illuminated by street light, altering the mood and situation of the places/subjects. Rubbish or the disposal of objects is very much a part of our life. Rubbish is evidence of an object's use and that a person connected with it and valued it, even in a transitory way. It is the remnant of people's memories. As such Henry utilises these disposed objects to describe and reflect a recent history.

Oliver Durcan’s sculptures and paintings explore production, conservation and damage and how these effect the value and gravitas of artworks. Oil paint, resin and brute force are applied to the painting panels and simulate different physical scenarios of each artwork. Cosmetic features usually avoided or disregarded such as rust, warping and packaging become reinforced subjects in the work. These subjects mingle amongst the application of delicate paintings and industrial finishing techniques and pose questions of the formalities in ‘excepted’ artwork conditions.