Exhibition

Post The Surrealist Manifesto

16 May 2022 – 22 May 2022

Regular hours

Mon, 16 May
12:00 – 18:00
Tue, 17 May
12:00 – 18:00
Wed, 18 May
12:00 – 18:00
Thu, 19 May
12:00 – 18:00
Fri, 20 May
12:00 – 18:00
Sat, 21 May
12:00 – 18:00
Sun, 22 May
12:00 – 18:00

Free admission

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The Fitzrovia Gallery

London
London, United Kingdom

Address

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  • Warren Street
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Fitzrovia Gallery is pleased to present ‘post the Surrealist Manifesto’, a solo presentation of London-based painter Rebecca Hardaker.

About

In these recent, large-scale paintings, Hardaker explores notions of the subconscious through symbolism and sequences of disjointed events. Executed with an unabashed fondness for innocence, each canvas is an assemble of figures and things recognised from day-to-day life, drawn in a child-like manner, intersected by a reoccurring figure loosely identified as the artist herself. Andre Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto, published in 1924, has been an important reference for Hardaker during the time of making the paintings. ‘Psychic automatism in its pure state, Breton writes, ‘by which one proposes to express… the actual functioning of thought… in the absence of any control exercised by reason, exempt from any aesthetic or moral concern.’

Hardaker never has a plan when she starts a new painting. One thought provokes another and so gives birth to the surreal landscape her painting is. She moves around the canvas, filling it with painterly strokes and a draughtsman’s line. The process is fast and intuitive, unencumbered by rules set down by the academic tradition in painting. Her palette is bright and unreal, like one often finds a child’s choice.

Just as she never sets out a plan, Hardaker doesn’t cancel out mistakes. These are part of the composition which is the artist’s attempt at an immediate translation of her cerebral vision before this is structured into language. Hesitating and searching for a familiar image, as one is, she gives way for whimsical uncertainty.

‘post the Surrealist Manifesto’ runs 17th to 22nd May and is open daily 12 - 6pm with a private view Thursday 6 – 9pm.

For details on works included in the exhibition contact the artist on rebeccahardaker@gmail.com

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