Emma Bennett Solo Show at London Art Fair, Stand P8: 'Ghost Story'

Following sell out shows for Gavin Nolan in 2009 and John Stark in 2008, CHARLIE SMITH london is delighted to present Emma Bennett with a one person exhibition at London Art Fair’s Art Projects.

Bennett’s contemplative paintings are contemporary manifestations of the classical idea of the memento mori. By depicting fragile life forms such as flowers, fruit, small birds, fish and hunted game set against dark, monochromatic grounds, the artist engages with notions of time, transience, life, death and life after death.

Still life forms are appropriated from art historical sources but are recomposed and set out of context. Combined with expressive techniques within and against the monochromatic fields, Bennett introduces a set of dichotomies that create tension and dynamism: figurative and abstract; modern and classical; fast and slow; surface and depth; instinctive and predetermined.

This new set of paintings also begins to explore the energy and momentum that propels all things through space and time. Composition and fluidity of paint suggest a gravitational pull of elements through a spatial void, with the once fecund but now expired conjoined or about to collide. And the work seeks to portray the potential of these energies continuing beyond life: we are therefore presented with the certainty of a beginning and the ambiguity of the end.


Collectors Preview

Tuesday January 12th 6pm - 9pm

Exhibition Dates
Wednesday January 13th 11am - 9pm
Thursday January 14th 11am - 6pm
Friday January 15th 11am - 7pm
Saturday January 16th 11am - 7pm
Sunday January 17th 11am - 5pm

Address
Business Design Centre, 52 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 0QH


Biographical:

Born: 1974

Education: 1997 - 1998: MA in Fine Art, Chelsea College of Art and Design; 1993 - 1996: BA (Hons) in Fine Art (First Class), Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design

Selected Exhibitions: 2009: The Future Can Wait (curated by Zavier Ellis & Simon Rumley), Old Truman Brewery, London; New London School (curated by Zavier Ellis & Simon Rumley), Galerie Schuster, Berlin; 2008: The Future Can Wait (curated by Zavier Ellis & Simon Rumley), Old Truman Brewery, London; 2007: The Future Can Wait (curated by Zavier Ellis & Simon Rumley), Old Truman Brewery, London; Equinox, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London; 2006: Nocturnal, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London; John Moores 24 / Liverpool Biennale, Walker Gallery, Liverpool; 2005: Between Dog & Wolf, Clapham Art Gallery, London; 2004: Forever Beautiful, Clapham Art Gallery, London; 2002: Emma Bennett: New Paintings, Danielle Arnaud Contemporary Art, London

Selected Awards & Residencies: 1997: British Academy Postgraduate Award; 1996: ACAVA First Base Studio Residency 1996-1997; 1996: Arte Viva Residency, Senegalia; King Sturge Art Prize (Highly Commended); Thames and Hudson Painting Award

Collections: K & K Kollektion, Monaco; David Roberts, London; private collections in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States