Show offers something for all – and controversy
EXBHIBITION OF CITY ARTISTS’ WORK
WORKS by a range of city artists have gone on show – including pieces with risqué posters, discarded spliffs, cigarettes and empty alcohol bottles the curator acknowleges are “controversial”.
Spec 3, at the LCB Depot, was put together by Marcus Dove.
It features works by artists at different stages of their careers, from well-established professionals to emerging talent.
Marcus, who recently held a solo exhibition at Karnik Gallery in Mayfair, said: “Spec, by definition, means ‘in the hope of success but without any specific plan or instructions.’
“I’ve pulled together a group of talented local artists and I think everybody will find at least one piece of art that they like.
“It’s such a mix-and-match exhibition. As long as there’s one piece of work that’s appreciated by everyone that comes in, that’s all I can hope for.
“Leicester has a different art scene to London. There’s not much of an art market here, so the aim is not so much sales, it’s exposure. I want to help raise the profile of these artists.”
They include Tim Fowler - described by Marcus as “one of the most prolific artists in the city” - who has created a huge painting using acrylic, spray paint, graphite and oil pastel on canvas.
There is digital photography by Shane Coles, and digital and analogue photography by Joe Docker featuring the late Mark ‘Winks’ Winkless, a reformed football hooligan and aspiring actor.
Mixed media on wood by recent graduate Ruby Waage-Townsend, acrylic pictures on cardboard by Jamie Smith and graphic prints by Sam Dias will be on display.
Amy Brotherhood’s collages feature risqué pictures and phrases, while Marcus has contributed a large-scale piece made using gunpowder and smoke grenade, scorched into the paper.
The work was inspired by the time his family home caught fire when he was five.
The De Montfort University fine art graduate said he was inspired to start using these unusual materials when talking to his grandfather about war and weapons.
“Instead of using them to be destructive, I realised that you could use them to be creative,” he said.
Marcus has also collaborated with Shane Coles to create an installation at the centre of the exhibition, inspired by My Bed, by Tracey Emin.
It consists of a table featuring the remnants of a party, including cigarette packets and butts, joints, drugs blister packs and empty alcohol bottles.
“It’s like a fingerprint of a gathering, with trinkets and residue. I know a lot of people are going to dislike it, but that’s fine – at least it’s a talking point,” Marcus said.
Spec 3 runs until Friday, July 30. Admission is free.