Poppin'

About

A new pop-up exhibition at BSTM Space, Dalston, brings together leading British artists who bring fresh energy to pop art and realist painting.  Alongside revered painters such as Patrick Hughes, known for his extraordinary 3d paintings of iconic scenes, a range of newer talents are displaying every thing from balaclava-clad puppies to not-so picture-perfect representations of Hollywood actresses. 

The show is organised by Zoe Moss, who conceived the exhibition after meeting the street artist Shuby, who is known for her Warholesque poster art.  Moss says:

“For Poppin' I chose each artist because I loved their work and thought that it would all fit really well together. Every artist has a strong aesthetic.” Moss will also be exhibiting her recent works including distinctive depictions of famous film actresses. The works have a flawless surface which is subverted by the pouring of paint over the image.  These address the artist’s frustration at the constant use of supposedly ‘flawless’ women in popular culture.

Many of the artworks push the boundaries of painting as an artform, including Will Teather’s panoramic painted spheres, which have previously broken sales records at The Other Art Fair, London.  Teather explains:

"The curved surface of the paintings means that the viewpoints shift both physically and in representation, creating a dialogue between the flat image and sculptural form of the canvas. It’s about the relationship between the 2D and the 3D, and about creating something closer to the way we see.  Our eyes are spheres and rotate around a space and I wanted to find a way to depict that.”

Other sculptural works include Haus Of Lucy’s subversive ceramics; the artist takes chintzy kitsch figurines and turns them on their head by introducing unexpected elements such as balaclavas and macabre-masks. 

The artists in Poppin’ draw from across the breadth of pop-culture.  Not Now Nancy draws upon folk-law in her striking surrealist prints whilst printer Louise McNaught paints animals lost in a world of consumer culture, where whales are sold like goldfish in fairground bags, and Shuby brings sex shop iconography to some of her paintings.  The works as a whole are united through their engagement with contemporary culture and vibrant palettes. 

Poppin’ runs at BSMT Space, 529 Kinglsand Road, Dalston, Saturday 9th 10am-6pm & Sunday 10th November 1-5pm.  Free admission