James Paul group show

Press, 27 December 1985, Page 8

James Paul group show

A group exhibition at the James Paul Gallery. January 6-27. Reviewed by John HurrelL

Six artists present drawings, sculpture, and paintings in this small group exhibition at the James Paul Gallery. Most of the 13 works are by some of the senior Fine Arts students who presented their final year submissions at various Christchurch galleries in November. As indicated by previous shows at the James Paul, the exhibits have a rawness and a tendency towards the experimental that is rarely found in other galleries in Christchurch.

Paul Dew’s “Sholder Load" is a sculpture made of pieces of steel welded to a vertical beam and covered with black tar. Its misspelt title seems to be a pun on “soldering” and s shouldering,” as the work could be a standing figure

supporting a load. Cut-out forms at its top project into space and contrast with much lower elements which are resting on the floor. Graham McFelin’s “Gutless” painting contains a script roughly written on corrugated cardboard and stapled within an Expressionist painting. In this imaginary scenario, two voices, a “Thin Voice,” and a “Mr Know All” taunt and abuse the painter who claims authenticity for his state of alienation. The work lashes out at critics of the struggling artist.

Grant Lingard’s assemblage is made of branches, canvas, assorted items such as a plastic record and a scrubbing brush, all encrusted with thick splattered paint. Within the blades of a vaguely scissorlike form is positioned an inverted mannequin’s head that makes the work threatening. It is sinister, as were

the sculptures seen in his very successful solo exhibition.

Much of the work in this exhibition is not strong, but it provides a chance to see artworks by senior university students not presented in their recent exhibitions.

Of these, Teri Johnson’s exhibits are the most interesting, for her crudely drawn sketches show ideas for sculpture that uses deep spatial projection and vivid colour in a manner unhinted at in her recent “Facades” exhibition.

Richard Reddaway shows four tiny photographs of drawings which he did while preparing his exhibition at the Arts Centre. His sculpture there was distinctively witty and' inventive, but these photos are no substitute for the original drawings. They give out very little information because of their poor definition and small size.

Terry Urbahn makes angular shaped canvases on which are depicted geometrical forms which use perspective to recede. The symmetry of the canvas shapes acts as a foil to the illusionistie drawing and emphasises the surface of the canvas as parallel to the supporting wall. In this exhibition Urbahn presents a two-part painting, with the left-hand section diagonally aligned and the right-hand one vertical. The painting and drawing is sloppily executed and this unfortunately distracts from the otherwise excellent pairing of contrasts. Even though this exhibition is uneven, there are some curious objects worthy of contemplation. Not many galleries will be open over January and this exhibition gives us the chance to see some of the more adventurous, although unpolished, artworks being made in Christchurch.