GFEST 2014 Visual Art

GFEST - Gaywise FESTival 2014 visual art exhibition at Menier Gallery, 10 to 22 November showcasing a series of art works on 'Urban Myths'.

10 November 2014 to 22 November 2014 11am to 6pm

Location: Menier Gallery, 51 Southwark Street London SE1 1RU , UK

Cost: FREE

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MENIER GALLERY 51 Southwark Street London SE1 1RU T: 020 7407 3222 visit info & map

Mon to Thurs and Sat, 11 am to 6 pm. Fri, 11 am to 8 pm. Sun closed / FREE ENTRY

Private View Tues 11 November 6- 8 pm (invitation only)

An Essay written by arts critic & writer Anna McNay on GFEST 2014 visual art works.

+SLDetail.jpg'Jupiter, in the Guise of Diana, and Callisto - After Francois Boucher ' DETAIL / oil on linan

Sadie Lee explores the myths surrounding lesbian sex and the depiction of ‘safe and tasteful’ images of lesbian couplings in ‘Classical Mythology’ paintings. Her new works for GFEST 2014 challenges notions in the form of ‘mash-ups’ of classic paintings and sexually graphic images from vintage erotica.

BP Travel Award winner artist Sadie Lee has had several one woman shows nationally and abroad. These include 'Venus Envy' at Manchester City Art Gallery and 'A Dying Art - Ladies of the Burlesque' at the National Portrait Gallery. Sadie also had an exhibition entitled 'Don't Look' at the Gallery of Modern Art, Slovenia when she was selected as British Representative in the international contemporary art festival.


+MS 2detail.jpg'The Pearl Necklace' (Lucretia) DETAIL / oil on canvas

Matthew Stradling has chosen to paint as homage to certain themes that have been depicted in the history of art which seem to resonate with him, all dealing  with a LGBTQI subtext. He presents a contemporary take on the image of Saint Sebastian, The Dying Slave (of Michelangelo) and the death of Lucretia - all images that, although seductive and fleshy, resonate with a sense of anxiety, self-doubt and judgement, yet the images which have filled the artist with a sense of human connection and humility.

Matthew Stradling is represented in many art collections in Europe, America, the Far and Middle East. Born in Hertfordshire in South-East England, Matthew now works from his studio in North London. His work has been exhibited internationally and he has had fourteen solo exhibitions in London, Liverpool, Paris and Ottawa.


+JoaoTrinidade.jpgUntitled Digital Photography series by Joao Trindade

João Trindade presents views about Myth as a ‘pre-constructed idea’ and his own interpretation of external judgements and prejudice. He focuses on ‘self image’ and its variations to follow his quest:  What is a fair dialogue on acceptance and equality?

João Trindade was born in Porto, Portugal and studied Design and Communication at the Escola Superior de Artes e Design. He's been living in London since 2007 where he's been exhibiting and working together with other artists and performers. He has had 2 solo shows in Portugal and subsequently presented his work around identities in several group shows in Portugal, the USA and the UK. 


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'Dark Paradise' series / C-Type Print Scanned Negatives

Dark paradise is an exploration into the unconscious mind. Through metaphors and symbols, it invites the viewer to journey into a silent land where the cures for homosexuality are played out. This series explores the irony of the minds natural healing process combined with the forced, un-natural curing of homosexuality.

Jennifer Welton is a 2013 graduate in Photography from London College of Communication.  London based, she works in a variety of mediums from stills to moving images and has shown her work in a few group shows.


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'I-Do-Me' /a still from Video installation

Mathias Vef uses multimedia, photographic image works, ‘digital deconstruction’ and moving images to visually explore gender fluidity to present ‘mythical body’ at GFEST 2014.

Berlin and London based artist Mathias Vef has shown his work around the world including in Germany, the UK, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and at Leslie Lohman Foundation in New York.


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'Where is Narcissus?' series / Untitled /Giclee print

Gökhan Tanrıöver wants to show bodies and our own love-and-hate relation with them. The images that were altered by their own reflections on glass, captured by analogue methods - rather than by digital manipulation, emerge as ‘gender ambivalent’ fluctuations within our own self-image. Gökhan aims to reconnect this series with his childhood journeys to the ‘body of water’ near his grandparent’s home - where Narcissus is supposed to have drowned.  

Gökhan Tanrıöver was born in Turkey and moved to London at a very young age. After studying medicine at Imperial College, and working in hospital as a doctor, Gökhan made the decision to follow his passion and dedicate his time exclusively to photography. After completing his Diploma in Photography in Kensington and Chelsea College, he commenced his BA in Photographic Arts in Westminster University.


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'Francis Bacon' series / oil on canvas

For Threadneedle Prize winner and GFEST 2010 artist Enzo Marra, Francis Bacon is a mythical figure who personified the concept of the gay artist. Bacon's work ethic is informed by his close personal, creative and sexual relationships, the social life that surrounded it - known for its apparent debauchery and alcoholism. Francis Bacon created a reputation in an art world which he didn't fit easily into, his personality as vibrant as his art works.


Having studied towards a BA at the University of Reading and and an MA at the University of Brighton, Enzo Marra's creative practice is concerned with the exploration and pictorial analysis of the art world. He has also recently been included on the shortlist for the 100 Painters of Tomorrow and was given an honourable mention in the Beers Contemporary Award for Emerging Art 2013.

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A panel discussion on LGBT 'Myths and Mythology' in art - past, present and the future -  at  MENIER GALLERY (address/ info as above) on Fri 21st November 2014 at 6 pm to 7.30 pm / FREE :  GFEST 2014 artists include Sadie Lee, Matthew Stradling who will talk about their work. Art critic and writer Anna McNay who has written an essay on GFEST 2014 exhibition will also present her views. Professor of Philosophy & Fine Art Johnny Golding, Director, Centre for Fine Art Research (CFAR), Birmingham School of Art will chair and lead the discussion, also linking her most recent works like 'ecce homo sexual'.  Book your place.

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