Tony Hull: Hot Under the Collar
29/04/2013 to 28/05/2013
Tony Hull’s paintings are made slowly over a period of time and in turn relate to the fabric of things through time. Hull is interested in the effects of anachronism and how cropping or changes in paint handling can alter meaning. The most recent series references contemporary iconography and value systems within the context of 16th century Flemish paintings of children.
Tony Hull makes selective quotations from the original paintings, adding contemporary elements later, often in very obvious ways. He enjoys how this invites a sense that the effect of these alterations can be held separate from the original painting’s purpose, but wonders if these deliberately self-conscious changes in fact fuse with the historical image creating a confused melancholy with often a clumsy sense of roleplay.
Whilst there is an element of stylistic mimicry involved in irreverent additions like aviator shades, binoculars or filter cigarettes, this is tempered by a respect for the medium and technique. There’s a place for all these things in Tony Hull's paintings, but it’s hard to put your finger exactly where that place might be.
Worked up in layers, the paint gathers to create images that are left coming into being, pushing the subjects further into contextual oblivion. Teasing things out of these paintings whilst keeping the referential integrity of the originals, Hull tries not to tip the scales too heavily in the favour of any one time, space or moment.
Tony Hull is based in London with paintings in numerous European and US collections. After graduating with a BA at Chelsea School of Art, he went on to Post Graduate study at the Slade School of Fine Art. He has exhibited in Britain and Europe, taking part in numerous group and solo shows, most recently the Threadneedle Painting Prize.
Hot Under the Collar is a solo exhibition of new work by Tony Hull at our gallery on Sheep Street, Stow on the Wold, in the heart of the Cotswolds. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am - 4pm, Hot Under the Collar runs until 28 May.