< Previous    Next >

‘The Little Artists’ works by John Cake & Darren Neave @ The Cornerhouse Cafe, 70 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1
05.06.01 - 31.07.01

Cake & Neave are concerned with the appropriation of themselves and of art. They have transformed themselves into two highly lovable and mischievous cartoon characters, The Little Artists, who exist in the realm of Merchandise - the crossover between the aggressively marketed children’s culture (represented by Pokemon) and the current commodification of High Art (illustrated best by the gift shop at Tate Modern). These two animated characters are projected onto a whole range of collectables and franchise products that prey on the audiences’ empathy with The Little Artists’ tale of struggle for recognition and also the references to great Art.

Cake & Neave pride themselves on the seriousness of their hybrids and the acknowledgement to the correct portrayal of the art works through the properties governed by Lego. They clearly understand the possibilities presented to them within the medium of Lego, and where the boundaries lie with respect to the culture of Lego, one of learning, creativity and stimulation. The results may be humorous and highly convincing and have not only left children, but adults genuinely intrigued, belying the initial child-targeted appearance of the work.

"It is a language - it is a LeGo language." Once the guys have hauled themselves into a gallery, they very seldom make it pass the gift shop, "we are totally fascinated", not just by the cards, books and Monet tea towels but the more obscure. "I have a Lady of Charlotte pen, when you tip it up she moves up the boat," chuckles Neave. "The weirdest was the kids mask in the National Gallery of the Arnolfini marriage, why? Imagine a kid choosing between a Darth Maul mask or the marriage of Arnolfini." John and Darren both met at Liverpool Metropolitan University on the Fine Art Course in ‘92, where they had stimulating landscape painting projects and induction’s in canvas stretching. Neave continues, "a lot of the time it was about being bored, I started to think how can someone in the middle of nowhere, make an impact on the art world." And with the world expanding around them, they started sending obscure proposals and letters to various places, "can we burn your gallery down" being the one that almost got them arrested. Now they are reformed ‘Little Artists’ collecting Lego and making their own little artwork fax similies (and of course still sending out proposals).

As taken from an interview with ‘The Someone’ for the Debenhams windows exhibition where The Little Artists are also exhibiting from: 19.05.01 - 09.09.01
John Cake and Darren Neave have recently exhibited their new works at the Slug & Lettuce, Manchester in October 2002 and took part in the ‘Not Just for Christmas’ exhibition at The Comme Ca Art Gallery in December 2003.

Comme Ca Art have a number of art works available by The Little Artists at The Comme Ca Art Gallery including, limited edition photographic prints and limited edition Lego sculptures. Please call the gallery on 0161 839 7187 or email info@commecaart.com for more details.

< Previous    Next >
Back to Past Exhibitions <

Home | Past | Current/Future