Mental Mapping: Publicity Shots & Press Release

Him (L.), and Me (R.)

For various reasons, I’ve normally avoided putting images of my own ugly mug on here, but these shots of Andrew Smith and myself were taken purely as a means to an end.  They were taken, in somewhat impromptu fashion, as an additional aid to publicising our upcoming Mental Mapping exhibition in Rugby, and would thus be pretty pointless if I didn’t attempt to share them.

To be honest, I doubt that either Andrew or I would have done this had we not been advised it’s the kind of thing that is often expected.  The shots are intended to accompany the exhibition’s press release, which is also included below.  That particular item took me several attempts to get right, being neither experienced in such things, nor very good at writing in a pithy, concise style at the best of times.

(L.): Andrew Smith, 'Water Bombs', Acrylic on Canvas, 2015.
(R.): Hugh Marwood, 'Map 3', Acrylics & Paper Collage on Panel, 2015

Anyway, having made the effort, it would seem pretty self-defeating to allow exaggerated reticence to get in the way at this stage.  Exhibiting is all about going public, after all.  In fact, considering the photos were taken pretty quickly, by the old expedient of clicking the camera’s timer and scurrying back into the shot, - I’m surprisingly happy with the way they turned out.  Make the most of them, - it’s unlikely to happen very often.

Mental Mapping:  An Exhibition Of New Work By Andrew Smith & Hugh Marwood

8 June 2015 - 18 June 2015

Floor One Gallery, Rugby Art Gallery & Museum, Little Elborow Street, Rugby, CV21 3BZ

Opening Hours:  Tuesday, 10 am - 5 pm.  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.  Saturday, 10 am - 4 pm.

Mental Mapping is an exhibition of recent work by Andrew Smith, from Birmingham, and Hugh Marwood, from Leicester.  It includes paintings by each artist, with Andrew’s digital prints, Hugh’s concrete-mounted photographs, and a joint video collaboration.  The work explores different aspects of the relationship between physical and mental spaces.

Andrew’s paintings often develop from his own still life photography, but their confusing sense of scale suggests we might be able to move around amongst their strangely focused contents.   They are really landscapes of the mind whose subjects connect with the artist’s autobiography.  His digital prints combine photographic images with line drawing, paint drips, and various other marks. They depict certain places, but also suggest the thoughts and feelings one might have there, and the possible influence of literature or music.

Hugh’s paintings are more abstract, but include sections of street maps and written phrases relating to specific locations in Leicester.  Incorporating torn advertising posters, and the mixed messages of signage, advertising, road markings, or graffiti, they suggest the unexpected ideas that might arise in these places.  His Cement Cycle photographs show various concrete-related features on his cycle commutes to and from work, and explore the unpredictable ways a city-dweller might experience and memorise their surroundings.  Rugby’s enormous cement plant has haunted his imagination since the opportunity to exhibit there arose, and he was keen to connect this project with the material it produces.

To accompany the exhibition, Andrew and Hugh have made a short video, entitled Orfeo.  It can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-HkyrP72hQ

For further information:

http://www.ragm.org.uk                                                   01788533201