Concepts of nationality get punked in this extraordinary exuberant show at the Paul Stolper Gallery

Marcus Harvey’s art assess and re-present the images by which a nation thinks it knows itself. He’s the Director and Founder of the Turps Banana Art School, dedicated to teaching a London style of Painting. (An interview about why an Alternative Art School is necessary (due to lack of Medium Specific teaching and tuition).

http://turpsbanana.com/art-school

Interest in and questioning of British identity is at an all time high, because of brexit, with concepts of borders, Europe and nationality flaring up.

Using the death masks of Nelson & Napoleon universalises them and makes them equal. Both covered in clay like biscuity earth, glazed icing & candy.

This show is like a Punk remake of English and French identities if Vivienne Westwood imagined a pantomime drunk history version. Antagonism that’s part of the UK national myth.

The Show ends with the bust of a British WI Tommy defaced by machine fire and shelling shrapnel.
Tommy looks like an Eduardo Paolozzi sculpture chewed up by a can opener, it references Henry Tonk’s work with a pioneer plastic surgeon, recording the most horrendous facial disfigurement.

You ponder rather then recoil in shock at very essence of the loss of face, loss of identity, loss of individuality.

 

Ends 16th June

http://www.paulstolper.com/artists/portfolio/195-marcus-harvey-other-works

PAUL STOLPER
31 MUSEUM STREET
LONDON WC1A 1LH

+44(0)20 7580 7001

www.paulstolper.com
info@paulstolper.com

Opening times
Monday – Friday 10am- 6pm
Saturday 12pm – 6pm