Transcending the commercial
Vernacular Inscription offers intriguing narratives in cultural overload
EXHIBIT REVIEW
VERNACULAR INSCRIPTION
Runs until May 22
Nickle Arts Museum (U of C)
Mainstream comic and graphic art has become a sort of visual shorthand used to tell a simple story as quickly as possible. But the artists whose work is exhibited in Vernacular Inscription borrow styles and techniques from these genres in order to create complex narratives firmly situated in contemporary culture. The exhibit tells stories that take place in an atmosphere packed with pop-cultural information.
At first glance, Peter Lloyd’s portraits seem simple and vibrant – images that might be ready for commercial reproduction on thousands of cereal boxes. But the screen printing is precise, with rich colours and textures incorporating matte, glossy, metallic and glitter inks. They represent wrestling characters – heroes and villains covered from head to toe in spandex costumes printed with stars and lightning bolts. On closer examination, it’s clear that the men behind the masks are ambivalent to the roles they have been assigned. They seem to avoid the viewer’s gaze, peering down or to the side of the paper. These burly, barrel-chested men aren’t quite comfortable within their macho trappings, but act as allegorical tools to explore issues of contemporary masculinity.
In his contribution to the exhibit, Chris Orr dissects and juxtaposes vintage advertisements and children’s book illustrations in a disconcerting fashion. One space or event is spliced into another – the face of a grandmotherly figure is cut away to reveal a green field enclosed by a chain link fence. One body intersects with another, and a fire-breathing dragon sits on the kitchen floor. Using idyllic imagery, each narrative comes close to revealing some alarming secret.
Along with Lloyd and Orr, Adam Dant, Mark Hampson, Mark Harris, John Hewitt and Oran O’Reilly are each represented by a series of prints, just enough work to introduce seven unique artists, whose works incorporate a multitude of ideas and references on many levels. Equal sections of gallery space are allotted to each artist, but the layout of the show diminishes the appreciation of some works. The left side of the space is dominated by bold, colourful images, while the right contains quieter, detailed pieces. One particular corner requires a lot of reading, with pages of text covering most of the wall. A different arrangement, or some editing of the works, might create a better experience for the viewer.
Vernacular Inscription is a layered exhibition, incorporating multiple cultural references and challenging narratives. Complex characters and relationships evade any simple conclusions – there is much to explore. |
