An exhibition of London-based art has been curated by Robin Footitt of the Royal Over-Seas League to portray how the capital has evolved into a place of diverse communities, cultures and vibrant subcultures, and the resulting Illustrated Guide to London exhibition goes some way to show that, writes Michael Holland.
The artwork was hung over three floors in rather ornate surroundings at the ROSL’s clubhouse in St James’s. Inside you will sense decades of history and, perhaps, privilege, in a club whose mission is to foster ‘international friendship and understanding throughout the Commonwealth’.
I am not sure what the brief was for those artists selected to submit their art but very little stood out as depicting a multicultural London. In fact, quite a lot looked like it would be better suited on tea towels tailored for tourists than on these sumptuous walls.
Nevertheless, the art that was truly worthy of the palatial backdrop – and the ROSL’s raison d’être – was given positions of power.
Rotherhithe’s Ed Gray has his two finely-detailed pieces placed on the landings of the grandiose stairs that everyone has to pass at least twice, whereas other offerings would be found elsewhere. This is the art world equivalent of Tescos top shelf and bottom, where positioning is paramount. And both paintings show the true diversity of our city, unlike most of the other exhibiting artists.
His ‘Ode to Torsion (Huck Funt)’ was prone to causing logjams on the staircase. Gray’s depiction of the hustle and bustle of St Thomas’s Hospital is, however, much more than that, although the casual viewer may not pick up on the clues that reveal it as a cry for help for our grossly underfunded NHS: the deflated 72nd Anniversary balloon; the lies of the Leave.EU campaign emblazoned on the infamous red bus; Big Ben wrapped up like the bandaged patients going in and out for treatment, and a Save our NHS T-shirt. Very few people are smiling in this damnation of our scandalous Government.
‘Everyone Loves the Sunshine’, on the other hand, pays homage to one of the few remaining London lidos at Parliament Hill Field. It gives praise to fresh air, to the rays of the sun, and to the thrill of cold water. When looking at this painting, you want to smile along with those enjoying life in it.
The exhibition is free to the public and on until September 24th.
Royal Over-Seas League, Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London, SW1A 1LR.
