DeCarava and Wylie

Afternoon at David Zwirner's

Artistically nourishing day out in Mayfair

Photograph by RoyDeCarava

I have a friend who visits London a couple of times a year and is always interested in art shows or doing unique things together. We went to see an exhibition of Roy DeCarava’s photography in David Zwirner Gallery at 24 Grafton Street. It was an artistically nourishing day out in Mayfair. 

Donald Byrd playing for the mountains, photograph by Roy DeCarava

DeCarava used to take pictures of famous jazz musicians he knew privately: Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Donald Byrd, Hazel Scott and others. The exhibition showcases an atmospheric collection of black and white images from the 1950s and 1970s. They feel like a photographic notebook. Amongst perfectly executed shots are under or overexposed sketches, with the main character randomly positioned or out of focus. 

The intimate selection leaves you with a feeling of nostalgia. Fleeting moments recorded by DeCarava follow Monet's artistic legacy. Although he uses photography, some images look like impressionistic paintings, where imperfections and the passing seconds are of significant value.  

Billie Holiday and Hazel Scott in an atmospheric scene, photograph by Roy DeCarava

The exhibition has got some points of reference for every artist, like me, looking for inspiration or connection with the work of those before me, as if they were my mentors. It was interesting to see the private aspects of DeCarava's creativity.

On the top floor of David Zwirner Gallery, there was a small but precious selection of Rose Wylie's work. I wrote about her before, as part of my article about Frieze London 2021.

Rose is now in her late 80s, but she continues working as an artist. Her oeuvre improves with time, like a good wine. She is inspired by cartoons, often combining images with text in her 2D works. Her style is intuitive and sketch-like, capturing a symbolic meaning of the moment, rejecting photorealism altogether.

 

Pineapple by Rose Wylie / Photograph: Agnes Prygiel

Red Girl (no face) and Red Girl (face) by Rose Wylie / Photograph: Agnes Prygiel

David Zwirner presents a smaller version of Rose Wylie's famous pineapple, her primordial paintings,  drawings, and  powerful sculptures. 

Both exhibitions have a common element: they document the artists' creative process, not only the final, best work. It makes me realise the most talented minds in the history have a method of choosing the works they wish to present to a wider public or keep as mental notes for themselves. 

Agnes Prygiel, London 16.02.2022

Frieze Sculpture Exhibition

Colossal Pineapple & Environmental Awareness

"Frieze Sculpture" outdoor exhibition in Regent’s Park showcases three-dimensional installations by the world's most acclaimed contemporary artists. It touches upon climate, national beliefs and human conflicts. 

Rose Wylie's "Pineapple" 2020

As a cartoonist, I am particularly attracted to artworks that emanate colour and humour. Rose Wylie's playful "Pineapple" sculpture drew my attention straight away. 

Associating a simple object with a more significant meaning, the artist uses a popular fruit as a point of reference in her reflection on the social changes in the 20th century. Like pineapples - once a symbol of luxury - many privileges reserved to the rich are now commonly available. The perception of class differences shifted, and things out of our limits became attainable through time.

 

Anne Moris' "Stack 9 Ultramarine Blue" 2021

Although "Stack 9 Ultramarine Blue" radiates positivity, it is inspired by a traumatic event of the artist's miscarriage. Anne Morris created a truly magical piece out of the darkness of her misfortune. Resembling beads strung on a thread by a child, the artwork plays with proportions, vibrant colours and textures. Tragic personal experience has been a catalyst for a work that appears so carefree and accessible. It is a strong female voice on the contemporary art scene. 

Tatiana Wolska in front of her environmental sculpture

One of the artists presenting her work at the exhibition is Polish-born Tatiana Wolska, with whom I share the country of origin. Working with recycled materials, the artist focuses on environmental awareness. Using thermal welding and piercing to reshape plastic, she creates organic forms from rejected materials.

We use 1.5 billion water bottles globally every day. Rather than dismissing plastic as banal, the artist transforms it into new shapes. Suspended among the branches of an oak tree, her structures look meaningful and poetic.

 

Gisela Colon's "Quantum Shift" 2021, Stoyan Decher's "Even Horizon" 2019, Carlos Cruz-Diez' "Environment de Transchromie Circulaire" 1965-2017

More information about each piece in the form of an audio talk is available on the Frieze Festival's website. Frieze Sculpture free exhibition is open till the end of October 2021.

https://www.frieze.com/audio-guide-frieze-sculpture-2021