On The Scene // Down In The Galley exhibition by Katie Craven & Tomo.
A mission is set. This is
one exhibition that is not easy to find if you don’t know where it is but once
you are granted entrance after rapping on the metal doors it’s all worth the
meandering journey. Once you enter the Galley it is indeed just as its name
suggests. A small art space with a small but effective collection of pieces
from Katie Craven and Tomo, it is almost like one of the underground galleries
one encounters in downtown Tokyo that almost always houses something
remarkable.
True that, as they say.
Eventually, after many raps in the aforementioned doors (also covered with some
choice work from Tomo) the small space was full, with faces familiar and not so
familiar checking out the, as usual, eye catching work from both artists. There
were some nice touches, from the sheer minimalism in the number of pieces on
display to the delightfully cheeky Tomo Securities prophylactics dispenser
(Yes, prophylactics) to the even more cheeky (and highly recommended) toilet.
Indeed, I was highly recommended
to go to the toilet (whether needed or not) whilst at the exhibition to check
out the cool eco features and… toilet paper with the face of a certain city’s current elected Mayor stamped on in bright red
ink. Now that’s the kind of toilet paper that really makes a statement in the
most fun but politically inspired manner possible! Can we imagine a whole
collection? That’s another conversation…
Meanwhile the artwork in
the main space was getting more attention (as was the prophylactic vendor) and
not undeservedly, it could be said. All too often art can get lost in that
vagueness between creativity and the mundane but this is art that jumps out at
you like the proverbial tiger from the gallery wall, fascinating the viewer in
its intricacy.
Individually, the two
artist’s have similar touches to their styles, most notably the attention to
details that shows in close up appreciation factor, but most definitely in the
sheer sense of fun and vitality the art evokes. Rarely does an exhibition bring
so many like minded people together as this particular show did. Indeed, I
doubt so many people have stood round a condom machine in such anticipation
before and in sheer kick ass art terms that’s a stroke of genius.
Whilst Katie Craven’s work
is intricate in its processes and visual ideas there is no sense of it being
too busy or involved for the viewer and neither is it slavish to the mainstream
art-think. The bold black and white colours in use are enough to bring life to
the room on their own. Tomo’s work, meanwhile, is playful and thought
provoking. There is much to recommend deep study of his work (and if you’ve
seen his pieces dotted about various locations in Liverpool you’ll now this
already) and it’s thoroughly worth paying a visit in the one week this show has
left to run. Just make sure it’s between
6 and 7pm though…
Oh, and that location?
Well, you’ll find out…
(Words and images of artwork by Sebastian Gahan)
