Alibis
retrospective at Tate Modern
Cynicism in relation to materialistic society + ongoing experimentation with materials and processes.
Over the decades (1963 - 2007) the work acquires inner weight and depth. The cynicism becomes relentless probing, the experimentation more extreme. Comes together in The Watchtower series of 1984-88 - the resonances of the image, the use e.g. of continually deteriorating photographic chemicals which mean the painting becomes more and more obscure. Often used toxic and banned substances.
Sfumato series shown in 1990 is a form of writing with light - soot from an oil lantern swirled over glass.
Making canvas translucent with resin.
The Illusionist shown in 2007 is covered with gel raked into ridges which acts as a distorting lens, adding to the confusion and complexity of the images beneath. We are forced to question the nature of what we see both in a material sense and in terms of the subject of the painting; the artist as illusionist.
Why 'Alibis'?
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