H_A_R_D_P_A_I_N_T_I_N_G_x2

Curated by: Ian Boutell, Philip Cole, Stig Evans, Della Gooden and Patrick O’Donnell at Phoenix Art Space, Brighton. UK

An exhibition in two parts featuring work by:

Part 1: Richard Bell, Katrina Blannin, John Carter, Catherine Ferguson, Della Gooden, Richard Graville, Morrissey & Hancock, Tess Jaray, Jo McGonigal, Lars Wolter and Jessie Yates

Part 2: Rana Begum, Ian Boutell, Philip Cole, Biggs & Collings, Deb Covell, Stig Evans, Jane Harris, Mali Morris, Jost Münster, Patrick O’Donnell, Carol Robertson and Daniel Sturgis

‘The more materialist painting is, the better.’

Matthew Collings 2019

‘Aware of the intractability of matter, materialist thought promotes a respect for the otherness and integrity of the world, in contrast to the postmodern narcissism that sees nothing but reflections of human culture wherever it looks.’

Terry Eagleton 2016 (1)

This exhibition is in its second incarnation. The first in 2018 was curated by Ian, Philip, Stig and Patrick. They were joined by Della Gooden to present H_A_R_D_P_A_I_N_T_I_N_G_x2

The title of this exhibition does not dictate an aesthetic, nor does it mean to imply a preference for one process or system of making work over another. It instead concerns itself with the elusive and critical nature of Contemporary Painting today; the complexities, the overlooked simplicities and the ‘wonder’ it can engender.

Painting has a dynamic heritage. It has been defined, redefined, declared dead, proclaimed reborn and designated with ‘isms’ left right and centre. It seems that the ongoing mission to corral Painting into something we can make statements of fact about, is to do nothing more than lay bare its inherently fugitive nature.

Can any conclusions be drawn? That there is something vital about it and worth fighting over is proven, but there are far more questions than answers. How can the simple act of placing a coloured substance onto a fixed, unmoving surface create such intrigue where none existed before?

The Curators

(1) Eagleton, T. (2016 ‘Materialism’ Yale University Press NewHaven and London, p6)

This exhibition took place in 2020 with Part 1: 11 January – 2 February

Photographs courtesy of Bernard G Mills

1.Tess Jaray One Hundred Years [Green] & One Hundred Years [Purple], John Carter Chapitau. 2. Tess Jaray One Hundred Years [Purple], Lars Wolter Cut-Off [Altrosa], Cut-Off [Enzianblau] & Cut-Off [Goldgelb], Morrissey & Hancock TPIAR, Katrina Blannin Sequence #2/4 (P) and Jessie Yates Untitled. 3. PV. 4. Katrina Blannin Sequence #2/4 (P) and Jessie Yates Untitled, Catherine Ferguson Cieco, L'arresto del Tempo, Fango & H&P, Della Gooden As. 5. Morrissey & Hancock TPIAR, Katrina Blannin Sequence #2/4 (P), Jessie Yates Untitled, Catherine Ferguson Cieco, L'arresto del Tempo, Fango & H&P, Della Gooden As. 6. Lars Wolter Cut-Off [Altrosa], Cut-Off [Enzianblau] & Cut-Off [Goldgelb]. 7. Della Gooden As, John Carter Tectonic Plates (For A. H.). 8. Catherine Ferguson H&P, Della Gooden As, John Carter Tectonic Plates (For A. H.), Richard Bell equivalences (2 part painting). 9. Richard Graville Blushing Phantom & Red Banded, Morrissey and Hancock Rotational Drawing & Untitled, Jessie Yates Canvas studies. 10. Jo McGonigal Kiss Kiss, bang, bang.

and Part 2: 8 February – 1 March:

Photographs courtesy of Bernard G Mills

1. Patrick O’Donnell ‘The Grey Passion’, Carol Robertson Colour Map - Yellow. 2. Carol Robertson Colour Map - Yellow, & Colour Map - Orange. 3. Deb Covell Tight Fit, Jost Münster muN4ro & 5yS*nt, Rana Begum 917, Stig Evans Untitled, Philip Cole Shift 3 & Slider 5, Mali Morris Ashbery Sunburst. 4 & 5. Rana Begum 917. 6. Philip Cole Shift 3, Slider 5 & foreground Shift 4. 7. Deb Covell Tight Fit & Blue Pleat. 8. Carol Robertson Colour Map - Orange, Stig Evans Untitled, Biggs and Collings Night, Stig Evans Untitled, Deb Covell Drape, Jost Münster muN4ro & 5yS*nt. 9. Biggs and Collings Night. 10. Jost Münster muN4ro & 5yS*nt. 11. Philip Cole Shift 3, Slider 5 & Shift 4, Patrick O’Donnell Room for a Few, Ten Planes & on plinth, The Grey Passion No.2. 12. PV. 13. Patrick O’Donnell The Grey Passion No.2, Jane Harris Pearling Blue, Out of Bounds & Playing Putti. 14. Jane Harris Pearling Blue & Out of Bounds. 15. Mali Morris Touch & Trio, Rana Begum 948. 16. Mali Morris Touch & Trio. 17. Ian Boutell Slipslideshift II, Semper & Slipslideshift, Rana Begum 917. 18. Daniel Sturgis Not Fixed III, Not Fixed I & Not Fixed II. 19. Daniel Sturgis Not Fixed I & Not Fixed II, Ian Boutell Slipslideshift II, Semper & Slipslideshift,

The exhibition ran for a total period of 6 weeks. It would not have been possible without the support and funding from the Arts Council and from Phoenix Art space