Proserpina: Henry Baker and Preslav Kostov

About

The works, produced whilst Baker and Kostov have been studying on the Painting MA programme at the Royal College of Art are here presented at an in-person exhibition, some for the first time, where viewers are invited to take in the rich dialogue between the two artists in an intimate setting.

Kostov and Baker have adopted different, complementary palettes and approaches to representation and abstraction. Yet they share a common concern with painting’s ability to speak directly and vigorously to its viewer, allowing for rich parallels to be drawn between their works. Their practice exposes their traces of production and figures with a remarkable frankness. The assertion of this openness is accompanied by further worlds, buried and protected within the layers of paint. 

The psychological themes of chaos, destruction and rebirth exist under the confident exposure of these surfaces. Baker and Kostov’s works are here presented in a contemplative environment to allow for reflection on these themes. Visitors are encouraged to inhabit the space, taking the time they need to draw connections between the works as they develop. Viewers can wander, sit down and be led around the space by their intuition. Proserpina is a homely, comfortable environment that lends itself to vulnerability.

To mark the occasion of the exhibition, each artist has produced a print reproduction of one of their paintings in a strictly limited edition of twenty-five. Each is printed on archival-quality paper using high quality digital printing and is hand-signed and numbered by the artist in pencil. 

Preslav Kostov is a painter from Bulgaria, currently working in London.

Henry Baker is a painter from New York, currently working in London.