exhibition

Blank Canvas

Artists Guy Batey, Duncan Bullen, Andy D'Cruz, Beth O'Halloran, Vincent Hamel, Tony Harding, Perla Krauze, Jeanne Masoero, Lupe Ramin, Elizabeth Reissener, Hyun Shin, Melanie Comber, Frank Creber, Andrea McLean

15.Aug.04 - 05.Sep.04
Wed-Sun 12-6 or by appt

Contemporary Art Projects
20 Rivington St
London EC2A 3DU
020 7739 1743
info@caprojects.com
www.caprojects.com
Tube Old Street, Liverpool Street, Shoreditch / Hoxton

Why is this show called "Blank Canvas"? Because given a glance, the instant one usually allocates for deciding whether something deserves attention, these paintings come across as nothing more than a blank canvas. They have an image problem. They don't have the wow factor, they aren't whimsical, they don't shock. They just hang quietly on the wall, glowing ever so subtly, exuding the confidence of artists who believe their work, given the opportunity to engage with the viewer, will give back in equal measure.

All of these artists, whether working in England, Ireland, France, Spain, the Netherlands, or Mexico, are dedicated to a reduced form of contemporary art practice. Taking the figure away, in some cases taking the colour away, so that the eye focuses on an edge or a shape hidden just below the surface, is an effective method of persuading one to observe more carefully. These artists are inviting us to "stop and smell the roses" and "have a second look". They energise not through an adrenaline rush, but through the offer to rest and relax in a semi-hypnotic moment.

Experience has shown us that given time and the right frame of mind, blank canvases can be as exhilarating as paintings with more immediate visual impact. Devotees are often people living highly stressful lives that like to come home, put on some nice music, have a glass of wine, and investigate the painting for nuance they haven't seen before: arresting colour, interesting shadows, or slight imperfections intentionally left behind to remind one of the human maker.

We recognise, however, for people who aren't familiar with the blank canvas, establishing rapport during a gallery visit can be a challenge. To address this issue, we've created an loan scheme designed to allow time for discovering whether this type of art can have a positive impact on one's surroundings. Details are available on the website or by contacting Fosterart.

The first Shoreditch Summer Tea Party, with five other galleries participating, will be at the same time as the artist reception, Sunday 15th August, 2-6 p.m., so please join us for an afternoon of food, drink, and entertainment. The exhibition runs until Sunday, 5th September.