for November ///////
& Not Bad For London Opening on the same evening as Here, Then and There was a distinct exhibition at the Michael Gibson Gallery. Not Bad For London features seven local artists: Marc Bell, James Kirkpatrick, Amy Lockheart, Jason McLean, Jamie Q, Peter Thompson, and Billy Bert Young. The rooms of the gallery are abundant with playful drawings and lively sculptures, creating a fantastical, imaginative space. Forms, colours, shapes, and lines are entwined and flow from one work to another, allowing the viewer to navigate through the gallery with ease and piece the works together as part of a grand narrative in a spectacular other-world. Not Bad For London showcases the work of seven young artists creating their own identity and establishing their relevance in comparison to prior London icons, such as Greg Curnoe and Jack Chambers, as well as differentiating themselves from the art culture of neighbouring cities Toronto and Detroit. With individual works distinguishing the artists apart from this history, the exhibition also contains a room full of collaborative work, including Saving Face, 2011 (pictured below). Several artists also practice sound art, and the audience was treated to a performance on James Kirkpatrick’s sound sculpture featuring the artist himself, Peter Thompson, and Jamie Q towards the end of the opening night. Producing eclectic electronic sounds layered by the performing artists, the crowd was curiously engaged with the organic show. Various pin-back buttons were offered during the opening night. Each printed with different drawings by all the exhibiting artists, these quirky items were able to be collected as a souvenir, and in remembrance of the group’s contribution. Not Bad For London will be on display until November 26. ■
LEFT: JAMES KIRKPATRICK AND JASON MCLEAN, SAVING FACE, 2011 ABOVE: KIRKPATRICK PERFORMING ON HIS SOUND SCULPTURE WITH JAMIE Q
issue no.1 / november
2011
29