Jill George Gallery at Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London W1
26 September - 01 October 2011
TOMAS WATSON: FLAT SPACE
Paintings, Drawings and Monoprints
“Tomas Watson’s works cannot be summarised, labelled or reduced to a category. What makes his work so significant is the way he brings insight to the commonplace....His work reflects the density and complexity characteristic of all great works of art.” Jane Carter
Jill George Gallery is pleased to announce the new solo exhibition of work by Tomas Watson. Since his work first appeared it has intrigued and delighted audiences in the UK and abroad and he has become a regular gallery favourite from his first show in 1999.
The latest paintings, drawings and monoprints show Watson’s continuing fascination with human anatomy and his ongoing exploration of picture construction. Often using himself as a model, the artist has produced dynamic studies that reflect Renaissance antecedents in their faithful and dramatic articulation of the body. At the same time, they share the pictorial space with painted, drawn and collaged elements that both shatter and restructure the image into an aggressively contemporary idiom.
Tomas Watson’s singular practice explores and celebrates the human form in a way that is unique amongst contemporary painters. This latest collection includes studies influenced by the artist’s travels in India with some vibrant images of figures in colourful bazaars, as well as more richly detailed depictions of human musculature. Perfectly modelled torsos reach out from deliberately flat space with the high finish of the subject counterpointing rough or untouched canvas. These complex figure studies are his most spectacular works yet.
Since vacating Lexington Street, Soho, in January after twenty five years, Jill George Gallery is organising exhibitions in venues in and around London’s West End. This solo exhibition by Tomas Watson at the Coningsby Gallery is the first in an ongoing series and will be at 30 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RJ from 26 September - 01 October 2011.
Notes for Editors
• Tomas Watson was born in Sussex in 1971, and studied at Huddersfield College and Slade School of Art, graduating in 1994. In 1998 he won the BP Portrait Award and his first UK solo exhibition was at Jill George Gallery in June 1999. It immediately sold out, and he has continued to exhibit regularly with Jill George. Since receiving two awards from the Greek Government in 1994 and 1996 he has lived and worked there.
• Jill George Gallery began by exhibiting the work of recent graduates and new artists and now shows selected painting and sculpture from a roster of international artists. This is the first temporary exhibition held by Jill George since relocating from the gallery in Soho.
• Jill George Gallery will be taking part in the following art fairs: 20/21 British Art Fair, London, at the Royal College of Art, 14–18 September (stand 27); and Art Toronto at Toronto Convention Centre, 27–31 October (booth 504).
If you require any further information or images please contact Jill George Gallery on 020 7439 7319 or during the exhibition 07973 825335 or email press@jillgeorgegallery.co.uk
Jill George Gallery at Coningsby Gallery is open Monday-Saturday from 10am until 7pm
www.jillgeorgegallery.co.uk