Saturday 21 July 2018
Investigations of a Dog - Colin Smith - June/July 2018
Investigations of a Dog ran through June and July at the Alfred East Gallery in Kettering.
Ian Luck went along for a look ...
The title of this exhibition at the Alfred East Gallery is taken from a Kafka short story in which a dog tries to rationalise episodes from its past but sees misapprehension or confusion ...
Here the viewer is faced with a series of large works, all oils, all with vigorous brushwork. Although the figurative paintings do seem to suggest anxiety, this is not a disturbing exhibition.
Only one portrait faces the viewer, even then the subject is wearing shades, giving a feel of detachment. There are many questions among these works, as if time is captured, but not explained.
In 'the wardrobe' series, human contact has left, these are shapes hanging over each other, were they ever worn? An empty jacket, a solitary overcoat, somehow just staring at the viewer.
Much of the subject matter has the distant feel of Edward Hooper, both in subject matter and pallet. The viewer must add their own narrative - is there misapprehension or confusion? This is precisely what the artist wishes.
An important exhibition for the Gallery, which should be viewed. I hope it is.
Ian Luck
(photos supplied by Ian Luck)
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