That’s Grouse: The British Show

Australian pop artist Linton Meagher reimagines
shell casings, lipsticks and
scalpels in first UK solo show
That’s Grouse
COMODAA, London
Exhibition Dates: 22nd – 29th May, 2012

Adding an evocative twist to the ‘Pop Art’ Genre, Linton Meagher taps the visual potential of
mass-produced objects in his first UK solo exhibition.

“That’s Grouse”.The British Show surveys the cross-media work of Linton Meagher. Showcasing works with
international appeal, “That’s Grouse” The British Show playfully considers the construction of identity, touching upon
motifs in contemporary pop culture.
“That’s Grouse” is an Australian colloquialism referring to something excellent or fantastic: this tongue-in-cheek
exhibition is a mischievous exploration of cultural iconography that’s equally relevant in both Australia and the UK.
Through a painstakingly repetitive artistic practice, Meagher moves familiar, functional objects into the realm of fine
art, encouraging and challenging viewers to question their meaning for contemporary society.
Constructed from hundreds of shotgun cartridges, bullet casings, imitation lipsticks and surgical scalpels,

The marriage of disparate meanings and objects is a theme throughout Meagher’s work and is particularly evident as
repellent objects such as bullets or surgical scalpels are transformed to portray beauty.
Taking inspiration from Jeff Koons’ and Arman’s irreverent approach to art-making materials, Meagher’s practice
often examines a symbolically loaded object, such as a shotgun cartridge (referencing both gun control issues in
Australia and hunting heritage in the UK), and utilises its aesthetic appeal to encourage the viewer to reflect on the
world around them.
“On the surface, these works are just fun, sensual and instantly engaging: with the shotgun cartridge works,
the viewer is initially seduced by the beauty of the piece.
However, it is hard to look past the death implied by all the empty cartridges. They force the viewer to ponder
the economics of the endless pursuit of thrills and beauty. These works are also an extension of the artistic
tradition of exploring mass consumerism and the use of ready-made objects in art.”
Linton Meagher

Exhibition Details:

Dates: 22nd – 29thth May 2012 Private View 6.30pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012
Address: COMODAA
28 Chepstow Place
Notting Hill
London
W2 4XE
Transport:
Bayswater (Circle Line, District Line)
Queensway (Central Line)
Free
Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat, 12noon – 9pm
Closed Sun
http://www.comodaa.com

+44 7900 616303
info@comodaa.com Continue reading

THE Rodnik Band

London Fashion Week was in full force in February – a flurry of indelible catwalk designs and world wide fashion influence were in abundance. One show the Frost girls and I attended, that made a sustained mark on the mind – was the Rodnik Band Show. A collection of post moder pop art frenzy – a clever and refreshing illustration of art and fashion, with the essential ingredients to create a niche flavour for an otherwise more conformed ideology of fashion.

The face behind the charactered pieces is Scottish born Phillip Colbert – who’s uncanny approach to fashion, bares a strong reflection to his own persona. “I make clothing with a strong sense of fun”, Says Colbert “Conception and shape is important to me.”

Humouring the fine line between Art and Fashion, Colbert takes an expression, an art form – accordingly forming his interpretation visually – in fashion mode. Opting to relate to art as his muse, Colbert derives the idea and fascination of combining  bright, bold art with the enthusiasm of original fashion.

“I like the idea that my clothing is taken off the wall and worn, that each style expresses and artistic idea that is accessible and makes a thoughtful statement.”



Colbert‘s dynamic vision was evident at his A/W 2011 Show – encompassing a strong sense of conversation and expressive narrative within his collections. With a distinct belief in the notion of fashion fantasy and escapism, Colbert effortlessly executes a light hearted humour to his work.

The highlight of Colbert‘s shows, is the music he accompanies in presentation of each piece – in perfect harmony with the expressive path and nature to each one of his collections.

A joy to see, Colbert single handedly omits a strong sense of creativity in hand with fashion. “I am inspired to reinvent the way people look at fashion and clothes – if you change the way you look at something, the thing you look at changes!”