Mathew Weir

Emily Tsingou Gallery is pleased to announce the first one-person exhibition of eagerly awaited work by British artist Mathew Weir.

The strange beauty of Weir's small canvases is insidiously seductive, engaging a benign enjoyment which collides powerfully with the often politically provocative content. The paintings explore historic objects that reflect their time of production, yet resonate with current cultural fears and ideals. The meeting of ideals from different times causes acceptable curiosities of the past to confront present racist stereotypes.

The images are constructed to portray a paradox; to seduce with beauty and the playful inclusion of art historic symbols, while presenting an unsettling scene. The source of their violence is illusive, seeming to reference issues of race and exploitation yet occupying an ambiguous position, refusing to be defined by these categories, or a given 'message'.

The deeply tragic characters in these recent works have a sad, lonely playfulness, as they pose as if to entertain the viewer. Exploring narrative and amalgamating references such as nineteenth century costume or porcelain figurines one might find discarded in a brick-a-brack store, the works delve into the imagination of the viewer for their interpretation.

Mathew Weir(1977) is based in London. One person exhibitions include Roberts and Tilton Gallery, Los Angeles (2004). His work has been included in the New Contemporaries (2003). Forthcoming exhibitions include one person show at Johnen & Schöttle, Germany (2006)

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Mathew Weir
Painting