Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery, on the top floor of their smart new building in Hackney Wick is currently hosting ‘Celebration – The Big Picture’, a series of works by twenty eight London-based artists.
The new exhibition, supported by East Village London E20, is a response to the Olympic and Paralympic Games which took place just across the canal from here. A wild variety of colourful pieces executed in various different styles and materials make up the show, which is a real visual treat.
Amongst the sculptors and mixed-media artists are Maria Alvarez Echenique, who creates eleboratly pierced porcelain heads lit from within, Silke Spingies’ paper flower heads and a variety of mosaic-enlaid sculptures by Chev Mehmet. Conventional paintings are provided by artists such as Soren Mayes who creates colourful abstracts, Kristina Kristeva’s elegant portraits of women and Nick Creber’s huge ‘Tropical Space Fish’, a street-art like creation that is a perfect fit for its salmon-related surroundings…
All is not sweetness and light at ‘Celebration – The Big Picture’ however as some of the invited artists have highlighted the darker and grimier aspects of this part of London in their work. Eva Bachmann produces haunting photographs of abandonment across the city and artist Sophie Venturini (who is also the exhibition’s curator) brings dark video work and a particularly poignant protrait of Amy Winehouse to the party…
Celebration – The Big Picture’ is open until 28 October, but has unusual opening hours – 5 to 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 12pm to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re interested in combining a visit to the gallery with dinner at Forman’s restaurant, I hear that it is rather good but unfortunately I can’t speak from personal experience. I do know, however, that booking in advance is advised.
Whatever show is on at Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery you’ll love this fantastic space – the Olympic Park can be spied from almost every angle, and there’s a particularly spectacular view from the expansive roof terrace right outside. The current exhibition even includes a remnant of the London 2012 Olympic Games – I hope this is allowed to stay…
Natasha Reid’s ‘AfterParty’ made with strips of material from the Olympic Stadium wrap
About Pete Stean
