Chris Green is a contemporary artist originally from Peckham, in South East London. He began his presentation by naming it ‘In what order does it matter that things happen?’ Although he stated he doesn’t like to conform to writing an artist statement the best way he could describe his practice was that he is predominantly a painter, who is informed by living in the world and working within the studio. He described that references act as anchors; although often well worn and rusted sometimes. His works change and are open to revision and interpretation, and he values the experience of viewers coming into contact of his work for the first time. It was through his studies and living with other creative people that he found his passion towards ‘making’. Green, Bobbly Dowler, James Balmforth, Oliver Griffin and Shaun McGowell begun to make exhibitions within their huge Victorian-period house, that had previously been occupied by squatters, 78 Lyndhurst Way. Overall they exhibited 55 artists’ work, in 9 exhibitions over 11 months in 2007. The house became a suitable gallery space, open to colleagues, friends and the public that had either heard about these exhibitions or seen pieces of work that were displayed in the front garden. He called these the Lyndhurst Way House exhibitions. One of these exhibitions, SHOOT THE LOBSTER then went on to be re-made in the Martos Gallery, New York. Green spoke about the difficulties around getting these pieces abroad, especially James Balmforth’s piece Exchange, due to the materials it had been made from (gallum and brass) and its knife like form. If the piece were to be touched it would loose its form.
Photograph of interior of 78 Lyndhurst Way
Available at:
http://www.spaceplatform.net/mainpage.html
Photograph of interior of 78 Lyndhurst Way
Available at:
http://www.spaceplatform.net/mainpage.html
It was from these exhibitions at Lyndhurst Way that Green found himself in contact with The Hannah Barry Gallery in London where he was asked to present a solo show in 2010. In this exhibition, Together Afar, Green showed a selection of work that he had created over the past two years, selecting from a choice of 30 paintings. He explained how some of his pieces were triptychs, and as part of his exhibition he designed the modernist inspired benches.
A Photograph of Christopher Green’s solo exhibition, Together Afar, 2010
Available at:
http://www.hannahbarry.com/exhibitions/together_afar/
It was in 2013, when Green and Bobby Dowler were invited back to the Hannah Barry Gallery, 110 New Bond Street, for a new exhibition. Green and Dowler had been friends for around 11 years and had been exhibiting work together since the start of Lyndhurst Way. In the show ‘ (…)their respective practices [are] imbued with a kindred spirit of adventure and experiment. While their works are easily distinguishable from each other in terms of their formal qualities, they are united by their commitment to openness and ambiguity in the process of their creation. The composition of these works is guided by the achievement of what Green describes as an “arrived logic”.’ – Wherevent.com 2013. FOR MADMEN ONLY! | Bobby Dowler and Christopher Green. [press release] 2013.
A photograph of For Mad Men Only, 2013
Available at:
http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/
Green and Dowler have also worked with Hannah Barry in Two-Person Show: Bobby Dowler & Christopher Green for the Hannah Barry booth at Art Brussels in 2013. Green talks about himself taking an artist as a curator role with this exhibition as he designed the desk and chairs used by the gallerist, He explained how the chairs had come from their previous project space, Lyndhurst Way.
A Photograph from Two-Person Show: Bobby Dowler & Christopher Green, 2013
Available at:
http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/
As well as his most recent artist residency in Tuscany, with four other artists over summer 2013, Green also completed an artist residency at a the temporary Plymouth based art project Space 11 in 2011. In preparation of his residency Green asked the people of Plymouth to fill out a form or to email a description of their favourite colour. Throughout his residency he worked with mixing his own interpretations of these colours, he then translated them into PS11, and painted them directly onto the walls of the space. This project was to be completed by the end of his residency and would challenge the changeability of perception. Green spoke about how he had aimed the title to bring out peoples associations with colours. He named it Swings and Roundabouts – Fish & The Fruits Paintings (To the people of Plymouth City Market). It was from this work that he created a publication for the artist’s 2011 residency project at Project Space 11 Plymouth for which he scanned the paper he had mixed the colours on, and showed photographs of these colours being used within the project space.
A photograph of pages of the catalogue for the artist’s 2011 residency project at Project Space 11 Plymouth, Swings and Roundabouts – Fish & The Fruits Paintings (To the people of Plymouth City Market) 2011
Available at:
http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/publications.html
A photograph of pages of the catalogue for the artist’s 2011 residency project at Project Space 11 Plymouth, Swings and Roundabouts – Fish & The Fruits Paintings (To the people of Plymouth City Market) 2011
Available at:
http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/publications.html
I found within Green’s presentation it was inspiring to learn about a group of people who were successful in setting up their own gallery. Additionally they had dedicated themselves to networking via solo and international exhibitions. I however have difficulty within his work when he starts talking about the materials he had used but avoided talking about the context behind his pieces. He stated that there was ‘no specific intent’ when making his paintings, which contradicted what he had previously spoken about in his artists’ statement.
A photograph of Christopher Green’s piece Life during-after wartime
2012-2013,
Available at:
http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/works.html
After viewing some of Green’s pieces it was obvious he was interested in the development of colour, texture and materials (brasso, acryclics, oil etc).
This was a common theme throughout his exhibitions and residencies.
He made it appear that his work isn’t focused on concept and when questioned seemed unsure of his own work saying ‘I think it referenced a doodle I was doing… maybe?’ Upon being asked about the canvas preference in relation to his pieces he replied ’I just relate to the size and make something out of it.’
Overall, it seemed odd to me that he didn’t give a lot of meaning to his pieces, and that they seemed purely expressive. When I asked the question ‘Do you think your graphics design education and background has influenced your art as it seems to be more about aesthetics than context?,’ he shortly replied with ‘I’d rather make something than do nothing.’ I feel as if Green is making for makes sake.
Bibliography:
Christophergreen.org.uk. 2013. Christopher Green – artist UK. [online
] Available at: http://www.christophergreen.org.uk/ [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Hannahbarry.com. 2013. For Madmen Only! Bobby Dowler & Christopher Green – Exhibitions – Hannah Barry Gallery, London. [online] Available at: http://www.hannahbarry.com/exhibitions/for_madmen_only_bobby_dowler_and_christopher_green/ [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Hannahbarry.com. 2013. Together Afar – Exhibitions – Hannah Barry Gallery, London. [online] Available at: http://www.hannahbarry.com/exhibitions/together_afar/ [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Project Space 11. 2013. Artists in Residence. [online] Available at: http://e-leven.co.uk/past/artists-in-res/ [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Shootthelobster.com. 2013. SHOOT THE LOBSTER | PECKHAMNEWYORKPARIS. [online] Available at: http://www.shootthelobster.com/exhibitions/peckhamnewyorkparis.html [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Spaceplatform.net. 2013. Lyndhurst Way. [online] Available at: http://www.spaceplatform.net/mainpage.html [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Wherevent.com 2013. FOR MADMEN ONLY! | Bobby Dowler and Christopher Green. [press release] 2013.
Wherevent.com. 2013. FOR MADMEN ONLY! | Bobby Dowler and Christopher Green : Wherevent. [online] Available at: http://www.wherevent.com/detail/Hannah-Barry-Gallery-FOR-MADMEN-ONLY-Bobby-Dowler-and-Christopher-Green [Accessed: 23 Oct 2013].
Artist As Curator 