A greatest hits compilation
It seemed that half of Bermondsey had jumped on the Overground train to Whitechapel last night for the opening of the latest Bermondsey Artists’ Group Show, writes Michael Holland.
The exhibition was predominantly filled with art by the founding members of B.A.G. who, way back in the early 80s, came up with the idea of forming a group of artists in order to have their own open exhibition. They did that and also took charge of the derelict cafe by the closed down lido in Southwark Park, in which they began putting on regular shows along with the Annual Open exhibition – now a much respected event in the art world.
That was then and because of their gung-ho spirit in the 1980s the 41st Open exhibition is on right now in the beautiful Southwark Park Gallery that took over from the old cafe.
But those stalwarts who came up with the idea of bringing excellent art to the centre of Bermondsey all those years ago are this year doing that in East London, and what a show it is.
Tony Fleming’s large charcoal works on paper hold memories of his earlier, brighter art. These, though, have several levels of depth that hint at darkness and foreboding. Are they reflecting the times we now live in?
I liked Elisa Alaluusua’s graphite drawings of her grandmother’s little dress and handkerchief. They took us out of Fleming’s urban blight but not far enough. It took Martin Pover’s luminous prints on aluminium to do that. Their vividness and effervescence brought Colchester and Beijing to life.
Jane Colling had a selection of old and new artwork in her distinct style, plus a 3D piece that seemed a new avenue of work for her, but still as esoteric.
Frances Coleman showed two sides of her many skills with several 3D works exhibited alongside some delightfully crafted watercolours of peonies, the colours, textures and media contrasting without conflicting.
Next along the white wall was Ron Henocq’s Red Handed, a nonet of prints connected by the hand. Each print is filled with motifs that add to the already mythical red hand.
Alongside the former long-term Director of B.A.G. was Louise Sheridan, her expressive landscapes flowing with colour. Initially, they appear other-worldly but very often you can pick out something quite real to bring you back to earth to look at the work once more but with an altered perspective.
Sculptor Peter McLean, he of the famous ‘Sunbeam Weekly and the Pilgrim’s Pocket’ statue on the Rotherhithe riverside, was showing a wood carving based on a hallucination the poet Ted Hughes described. It is a masterful work that conjures up many nightmares.
Jane Deakin has eleven paintings in the show, all confirming her love of nature. Mainly oils, but several charcoal pieces, on various surfaces from an exciting palette.
This year’s B.A.G. Show is a greatest hits compilation of what the group’s core members have been doing this year. The exhibition has art to make you smile, think, wonder and question, which is precisely what art is supposed to do.
B.A.G. Show, 10 Greatorex Street, E1 5NF until 4th December. 11am – 5pm.
Admission: Free.
