Paintings and Prints by Martin Grover
South London artist Martin Grover has a solo exhibition at Brixton Library where, along with former favourites, he will be showing new work.
He says, ‘Many of the paintings and prints in this exhibition are a result of my continued preoccupation with piecing together anecdotal evidence, flotsam and jetsam from the passing world and distilling these random fragments into slightly melancholic narratives; revelling in the pathos of the bizarre and comic as well as celebrating the commonplace and the mundane.’
He enhances this description of the exhibition in his own unique way: ‘Alongside these interests there are salutes to ephemera: the beauty of old records in tattered sleeves, Brockwell Park landscapes and tree stumps, wild flowers, bus stops, beans/egg on toast – and that popular pass-time: procrastination.’
The new work has been inspired by his reading of Night Of The Hunter, a 1950s’ novel by Davis Grubb: a poetic and dark thriller set in a fictional West Virginian town and along the Ohio River during The Depression.
Why that book, I wondered.
‘The novel’s dramatic events and setting, along with its Southern Gothic resonance, appeal to my illustrative tendencies.’
An added bonus at the launch will be local poet, artist and educator Claire Collison reading a few poems at the Private View. Martin explains: ‘Claire and I were both intrigued by an article highlighting a bit of fake BBC news from the 1920s that came to light a few years ago! She wrote a poem and I have done a few paintings based on the deceit.’
Brixton Library, Brixton Oval, London, SW2 1JQ from 3rd December – 2nd January.
Launch: Saturday 6th December 1.30 – 4.30pm
The library is open daily but due to random bookings closing the building for certain periods the artist advises checking with him before visiting: 07930 352561
