ZAVIER ELLIS x SAM JACKSON | Sometimes Always | Duo Exhibition | CHARLIE SMITH LONDON, Soho, London

Gramercy Park Studios hosts the first exhibition of collaborative paintings by Zavier Ellis and Sam Jackson.

Ellis, known for his gallery and curatorial projects, and leading contemporary artist Sam Jackson, have worked together since Ellis spotted Jackson’s work at his Royal Academy Schools final show in 2007. In recent years, the two artists have begun to show with each other, and now make work together.

As solo artists, their work inhabits very different territories. Jackson is recognised for his intensely psychological portrait paintings, often at an intimate scale. Conversely, Ellis is known for often monumental abstract works that combine expressive painting, text and collage.

As a duo, a new methodology is in play. Ellis begins the paintings in his usual manner, although on canvas rather than board, as is typical. But before working them to completion, he feeds the formed but incomplete canvases to Jackson. They are open paintings, works in progress, and Ellis provides technical and theoretical conundrums by using mixed materials and collage elements, providing a range of stimuli from matte or gloss paper to the painterly canvas surface.

This provides a new challenge to Jackson, who ordinarily paints directly onto the manufactured base tone of board, with no ground or previous contact, no primer, underpaint or sizing. Furthermore, prior to receipt of each canvas, Jackson has no idea of the condition of each painting. With each work, a new terrain of impasto paint, torn collaged paper, staples and text has been applied, glued, wrapped and layered onto the canvas which must be renegotiated anew each time.

This process enables both artists to work with unparalleled freedom and reveals a physical manifestation of chronology. The original works have been made in response to Ellis’ research into history, which moves through different passages of time. He might also revisit material he has worked with previously, thus interweaving the past into the present. Each group, therefore, maintains its own character, and likewise Jackson’s work will evolve in phases, depending on his ongoing and current cultural influences and which materials he has to hand. The outcome is new and unique paintings that retain the character of each artist within a new manifestation.

The event will take place at Gramercy Park Studios, 25 Great Pulteney Street, Soho, London W1F 9ND. Available to view Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. For further information please contact direct@charliesmithlondon.com. Follow @CHARLIESMITHIdn

Please contact CHARLIE SMITH LONDON for artwork list

URLs:
Instagram: https://go.evvnt.com/2636040-2?pid=2874
Exhibitor: https://go.evvnt.com/2636040-3?pid=2874

Category: Arts | Visual Arts | Galleries / Art

Artist: Zavier Ellis X Sam Jackson

Date and Time: On Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:00 - Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:00