BEAST
17 January - 23 February 2020
Open weekends 12 - 4 pm
Large scale drawings of a gorilla using sign language to communicate, a 5ft sculpture of an elephant boy standing awkwardly in pyjamas and a round oil painting depicting a minotaur’s eye in exquisite detail, come together in Beast to remind us that our relationship with animals is both complex and conflicted.
The artists in this exhibition reflect upon the frameworks we create to distance ourselves from other creatures- we collect, document, display, categorise, eat and breed them yet we are also enticed to understand them in very human ways: animals have human emotions and thoughts in books, cartoons and films and our pets are ‘part of the family’.
Using photography, painting, sculpture, drawing and film, the artists explore the human/animal divide. They use their skills to seduce us and humour to disarm us, enticing us to question our assumptions and beliefs.
Exhibition catalogue
Events in the Gallery
Edwina Ashton
DROP-IN FAMILY ART WORKSHOP
Inspired by the artworks on display this workshop is an opportunity to create your own Beast using a wide range of materials.
This fun and experimental workshop is led by Artist Educator Lorena Carbajal. It is free and no booking is required. The workshop is suitable for children age 4 and above.
New Date! Sunday 9 February 12-4pm.
Mark Fairnington
ARTIST’S TALK
Mark Fairnington’s work explore the links between art and science with large scale paintings of mounted insects, taxidermy displays of birds and life size portraits of prize stud bulls. They are the outcome of his investigations into the natural history collections in museums and the ways that specimens are housed, stored and displayed. His paintings combine obsessive surface detail and precision with sensuous expressive marks.
Fairnington has exhibited internationally and teaches at the University of the Arts, London. He will talk about his recent research projects with the Horniman Museum, Welcome Collection and the Museum of London and focus on the extensive collection of his paintings on display in the exhibition Beast.
The Talk is free but must be booked via Tonbridge Arts.
Monday 3 February 7.30pm.
Gallery open from 6.45pm
Bring a School Group
Schools and local groups are welcome between Monday and Friday. - We can arrange free guided tours with our Gallery Educator, providing a fascinating insight into the exhibits.
Tonbridge School Arts Brochure
OBS Gallery forms part of the vibrant cultural scene at Tonbridge School. See the Arts Brochure for the full programme of events, and we'll see you soon...