Comme Ca Art presents

'Follow the Light'

A selection of new works by Joe Simpson

The Lowry Hotel
22nd May – 20th July 2008

Click on the above for a 360 degree Virtual Tour of the Joe Simpson exhibtion.

PREVIEW EVENING, Thurs 22nd May, 6pm – 8pm
The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf Salford, M3 5LH

Joe Simpson - 'Bar Lights'
Oil on Canvas, 100x50cm
£1950

Joe Simpson - 'Raining in Chinatown'
Oil on Canvas, 150x50cm
£1950

Joe Simpson - '5am'
Oil on Canvas, 120x50cm
£1950

Joe Simpson is a figurative painter currently living and working in Manchester. Joe’s work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, with notable exhibitions taking place at the House of Commons and Manchester City Art Gallery.  His paintings have been selected for many competitions and prizes, including Nationwide Mercury Music Art Prize and The Grieve + Samaritans Art Prize.

Joe’s artistic practice deals with the narrative potential of the still image. He works primarily in oil paint to create realistic images that utilise the conventions of cinematography to present ‘staged’, fictitious scenes where time has been stopped and extended. These frozen moments are deliberately ambiguous, inviting the viewer to inject their own emotions, motivations and narrative context into the scene, thereby avoiding limiting interpretation.

“The characters in my paintings are often found vulnerable, in moments of profound self awareness, internally examining the situations that they have found themselves in and sometimes dealing with loneliness and isolation. It is true and noted often that my paintings focus more on sadness and melancholy than happier moments but I hope that whilst they depict sad moments they don't necessarily make you feel sad. Like a sad book or slow song it is possible to be consoled by the recognition of these emotions and take comfort in identifying them in others.” Joe Simpson

Joe is currently working on a series of large paintings to be exhibited at the end of the year. The 12 paintings are based on the road movie genre, depicting scenes from one characters journey.  Each piece will have an original song composed for it by a series of bands and musicians to create a soundtrack to the project – notable acts include Nizlopi, The Miserable Rich and Jose Vanders.  The paintings will be exhibited with headphones beside each piece, to simultaneously listen to the music and view the paintings. '

If you would like to attend the preview or would like further information about Joe Simpson please contact: claire.turner@commecaart.com.

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