Thomas Helyar-Cardwell 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi'

About

Thomas Helyar-Cardwell presents paintings and sculpture based on precious objects from a parallel reality, fantastic jewels and motifs heavy with nostalgia and symbolism.
His paintings and sculptures collect objects and decorations from historic genres such as the Baroque and Rococo, re-presenting them alongside icons of mass consumer culture. The resulting works often use mirroring and repetition to emphasise the unreality and artificiality of the creations, which are painted to falsely suggest precious metals.
Like a piece of costume jewellery or a plaster statue covered with gilt leaf, the works exploit a disconnection between surface and substance, which is inherent in 21st Century society. Likewise the sampling and juxtaposition of various symbolic devices and systems questions the contemporary habit of viewing the past as a romanticised atmosphere rather than a series of actual events and consequences.
These works could be bespoke jewellery for modern celebrities or tomorrow's heirlooms for late-capitalist dynasties. With a debt to many historical painting traditions, not least 17th Century Dutch still life, Thomas Helyar-Cardwell celebrates the process and craft of painting and object making in works that are visually rich and knowingly ostentatious.

LIMITED EDITION T-SHIRT by Thomas Helyar Cardwell:
Thomas Helyar Cardwell has produced a limited edition T shirt, 'Deptford Ars Longa' to coincide with this 'Sic Transit Gloria Mundi,' exhibition at BEARSPACE. T-shirts are avaialble from the gallery for the special exhibition price of £12.50 or £15.00 from the BEARSPACE website. Each Tshirt is signed by the artist with a uniqu edition number. Only 80 left, grab your T shirt while they are still available!

For further details see: http://www.bearspace.co.uk/beta/index.phppage=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=121&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=