Not too late for a trick or treat - Ben Ashton Exhibition at Simon Oldfield

I first happened upon Ben Ashton's work at the Slade MA/MFA Show, 2008 and for over a year now I have been looking for the opportunity to see some more of his work (I'm not quite sure how I managed to miss The Brain Unravelled in September 2009 where he exhibited alongside Anthony Gormley and others). His first major solo show is now on, at the new Simon Oldfield contemporary art space - in an old monumental masons showroom and just a stones throw from The Whitechapel Gallery and Aldgate East tube.

All Images: Photography Pamela McMenamin.
Copyright Ben Ashton 2009
Courtesy Simon Oldfield Contemporary Art

I was a bit worried that Ben would ditch the structures and optical devices which were intrinsic to the experience of his Slade Show and concentrate on the paintings. I am so glad to report that the structures and devices are still here. The installation at the Simon Oldfield gallery delivers a coherent installation of the structures, devices and paintings creating the gestalt environment needed for Ben's work - to see that the whole is so much more than the sum of the parts.

Moving around the exhibition the viewer flips from being passive to active to almost voyeuristic. It is a play with the senses and in particular our perception and the creation of depth which most of us take for granted everyday. The optical devices trick our brain but we share and enjoy with the artist the common joke - the human condition and the peculiarities of today's society with this age old concern and the question of what is reality.

Underlying all this tomfoolery are rich historical references with a contemporary twist. A further nod to the past is on the practical part of the viewer. In order to truly appreciate Ben's work the viewer has to experience it in person. Therefore, just as in the past, people had to travel to see great works of art so too must we to see Ben Ashton.

Ben manages to conflate his love of painting and its histories with the contemporary. Ben is one the few contemporary painters out there who continue to push the boundaries of painting while keeping the practice alive and relevant today.

The exhibition has been extended until at least 15 November 2009. 

Simon Oldfield, Contemporary Art, 17 Osborn Street, E1 6TD.
Monday and Tuesday from midday - 6pm. Wednesday - Sunday 10am-6pm.

Big Head - 2009 Kaleidoscope (mixed media - external view) - 80cmx 37.5 x 37.5 cm

Big Head - 2009 Kaleidoscope (mixed media - internal view)

Hung Up - 2009 Stereoscopic Octagon (mixed media - external view)

Hung Up - 2009 Stereoscopic Octagon, (mixed media - internal view)

Glorianna - 2009 Stereoscopic structure (mixed media - internal view)

Cornellius and Big Head - 2009, oil on board - 41 x 31cm, installation view

All Images: Photography Pamela McMenamin

Copyright Ben Ashton 2009

Courtesy Simon Oldfield Contemporary Art

Must see current exhibitions - London Winter 2009/10

Here are a few of the exhibitions which are currently running in London and which I intend to visit over the coming weeks and months.

1. Pop Life, Tate Modern until 17 January 2009

2. Frieze Art Fair 15, 16, 17 & 18 October 2009

3. Ben Ashton, Simon Oldfield, 13 October to 15 November

4. Anish Kapoor, Royal Academy, 26 September 2009 to 11 December 2009

5. Damien Hirst, Wallace Collection, 14 October 2009 to 24 January 2010 and White Cube 25 November 2009 to 30 January 2010

6. Turner Prize, Tate Britain, 6 October 2009 to 3 January 2010

7. John Baldesarri, Tate Modern, 13 October 2009 to 10 January 2010

8. Michael Kidner RA, Royal Academy, 25 September to 9 December 2009

9. Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, until 25 October 2009

10. The Real Van Gogh, Royal Academy, 23 January 2010 to 18 April 2010

The list is in no particular order but I will try and organise myself so that I see the ones which finish the soonest first, the longer running ones will have to wait! Therefore first from the list will be a visit to Frieze Art Fair this week. I have been to Frieze the past three years running and each time I have a rush of mixed emotion from the experience. It usually begins with a mix of excitement and enthusiasm then comes a reassuring surge of energy in the middle and finishes with exhaustion then a "what is this all about anyway" feeling.....I even tried Zoo last year to try and counterbalance the impact. So I thought about not going this year but the fear of not wanting to miss 'something' along with some interesting looking talks in the event listings have persuaded me otherwise (as well as having the chance to catch up with some other artist-friends over lunch).