ON PAPER: Drawings and Prints by Emerging Artists

About

These artists have been brought together by their shared passion for observational drawing. As relatively recent graduates all ten were spread across the UK, studying various different subjects including Architecture, English, and History as well as Fine Art. The unconventional routes that many of these artists have taken are apparent in the varied approaches to drawing on show. Since arriving in London, many of them have taken classes at The Royal Drawing School, which has enabled them to deepen their understanding of drawing from observation and experiment with materials in a focused, taught environment. The printmaking facilities have also inspired many to use etching, drypoint and monotype as an extension of drawing, often pushing their practice into new and unexpected territory. 

London is an intimidating city; moving here presents practical, financial difficulties to an artist, but can also create a sense of alienated isolation due to its sheer scale, hectic pace and lack of coherent community structure. Drawing has allowed these artists to embrace solitude as a positive, contemplative space, whilst also finding commonality with others through their shared observations. Drawing on the streets around London breaks down the 

feeling of being lost in unfamiliar surroundings: in a sense, each time we draw we take ownership of that place and locate ourselves within a larger context, so that after a while the city becomes personal to us; we are no longer dislocated.  

Life for our ‘Millenial’ generation feels uncertain and transitory in many ways. The work in this exhibition reflects the various kinds of transition that many of these artists are making, in terms of living in London, growing into adulthood, changing their direction and developing their art practice. It could be said that when we look at the work of many artists, the early periods of open-ended experimentation and gradual groping for identity are the most interesting parts of their career. 

Exhibiting Artists:  Lotte Brockbank, Jonathan Dixon,Sam Heath,Emily Vanns,Nancy Haslam-Chance Beatrice Hasell-McCosh,Kimi Tayler, Natalie Hollis, Becca Collins, Daisy Saul

Mercer Chance Gallery, 

253 Hoxton St, N15LG

info@mercerchance.co.uk

www.mercerchance.co.uk

02070336559

07415134155