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Pop art leanings
Leeds Metropolitan University Gallery is hosting Tilted - an exhibition of the work of artist Ben Cove.
Fans of the recent Spider-man film - and of graphic novel artwork in general - may find an interesting jump off point into the world of art here, with paintings featuring popular art figures such as Superman and other comic book characters. Cove uses these works to examine ideals and idols in contemporary Western culture, and to explore the notions of "high" and "low" art. Later works look at space and light, with figures of astronauts and air balloons floating across the paintings.
Gimmick?
The exhibition is so-called because Cove's paintings are displayed leaning up against the gallery walls instead of hanging in the more traditional
fashion. Does this encourage a new way of looking at art, transforming the painting into a three dimensional object as well as two-dimensional picture? Or is it merely another modern art gimmick?
Cove also produces his paintings at full tilt, as it were. Leaning the canvas against the studio wall, he paints as far up as he can reach. This technique weights composition to the ground, leaving empty swathes of coloured space at the top of his paintings.
His unique approach is perhaps a result of his study of both fine art and architecture, which left him with an interest in structure as well as art.
Ben Cove has recently exhibited in London, Sheffield and Manchester.
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