ORIGINAL CARBON COPY - John Lawrence | Re - Chris Mew

About

Broken up by conventional group shows and individual solo shows, FOLD Gallery London intends to punctuate the year with a series of two-person solo shows. These will consist of two separate solo shows that will run simultaneously, presenting two separate bodies of work within the same space. However, there will be no major physical divide within the gallery to set them apart. The shows will not be coordinated with a view to creating any curatorial links - any association noticed between the two distinct bodies of work will not be contrived. As the programme continues, we may find that the two separate bodies of work present the viewer with a sometimes disparate relationship. At other times there may be distinct commonalities to be found. Unintentionally, themes, aesthetics and theories, may cross over and interact - creating ties between the bodies of work from within the separate shows. The intention is to present the viewer with a unique opportunity to form their own conclusions regarding the relationships between the separate bodies of work. The hope is that the gallery, rather than intervening, is acting as a catalyst for these events to unfold. _ _ _ ORIGINAL CARBON COPY JOHN LAWRENCE SHOW | SATURDAY 7TH JULY — SATURDAY 4TH AUGUST OPENING | FRIDAY 6TH JULY | 6 — 9 PM On its release in 1981 'Carbon Copy', Denzel Washington's debut feature, was somewhat criticised but largely ignored. Rumour has it that after his career took off Washington tried to buy back all physical copies of the film that were in circulation, embarrassed by the nature of the racial stereotyping included within it. In his ongoing project 'Original Carbon Copies' Lawrence takes this rumour as a starting point and attempts to acquire all available, original promo posters for the film. These copies are then reprinted with the image, used to display the poster's condition, etc, from the online source which the poster was acquired. Through this action these 'copies' are turned into unique works, and act as a reminder of the shift away from the physical document brought on by the digital age. New sculptural works are also on display.' _ _ _ Re CHRIS MEW SHOW | SATURDAY 7TH JULY — SATURDAY 4TH AUGUST OPENING | FRIDAY 6TH JULY | 6 — 9 PM Mew creates large scale images on canvas. In an effort to convey presence beyond likeness, Mew draws upon specific disciplines; fragmenting, manipulating, isolating and distorting them to achieve non-illustrational forms. Deliberately destroying potential narrative whilst creating a pictorial battle between different media serves to highlight the conflict within the content itself. Written scripts, film, print, canvas and paint play a gentle game of tug of war against each other lulling the spectator into a place of quiet discomfort.