THE BALTIC – GATESHEAD

This was my first visit to the Baltic.  The four artists involved all produced very different work.

George Shaw – His paintings are of an area of Coventry where he grew up on a council estate.  He uses Humbrol enamel paints for his works.  He documents wastelands, deserted houses and garages all give a feeling of melancholy.  He concentrates on abandoned areas all very stark. 

Martin Boyce – sculptural installation breaking down nature into geometric shapes.  He brings the outside in.  He is interested in transient spaces belonging to memory.  I liked the geometric leaves in the corner of the room, suggests movement as though the leaves are blown into that position.

Hilary Lloyd – video work, the stands, screens, flex and wires are all part of her work.  The projectors are placed at head height and are intrusive into the work.  It is visual without narrative, using a camera the way someone would use a pencil.  Projected images, which are non-specific montages gives an abstract painting effect.  The sites mainly appear to be urban landscapes. She doesn’t edit or document the subjects.

A good use of space.  I like the idea that the display in front of a large picture window takes on a different feel at night time with the dark backdrop and the city lights.

Karla Black – site specific work.  Shows the pre language joy of playing with materials using ephemeral household items such as paper, talc, cling film, bathbombs.  There is a fragility about her work, it is rich in texture and very tactile.  This is the first work of Karla Blacks I have found interesting.  I like the fact you could walk through the piece, touch and view from different angles.

Winner – Martin Boyce