Iraq: a process of resistance at Ink_d on artrepublic.com
Exhibition running from Oct 04 2008
until Oct 25 2008
Iraq: a process of resistance, is a controversial and inspiring documentation of the visual protest made by artists Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillipps against the invasion of Iraq and the decimation of civilian life in Iraq from 2002 - 2008. By appropriating individual press photographs and recombining them in a new context, their work at this new show offers the audience a combative and alternative view of the construction of war. Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillipps began their collaborative work as a means to express their revulsion at the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq. Using their creative skills to express their solidarity with the Iraqi people, the pair produce arresting, politically-charged work that can be used as a resource by anyone protesting against the war - including magazines and newspapers. The artists comment, "It's really important for us to show that photographic images from the media can be re-contextualised through the processes of art. Our images intend to rip through the lies of mass destruction peddled by the US and UK government led by George Bush and Tony Blair and the machinations of their stupid & barbaric war. Our work tries to counter the 'official' images we are bombarded with every day, and how easy it is to be led by those images which make us react on an emotional level through perceived threats, anguish at suffering and the normalisation of war." From throwing dust, blood and oil onto a flatbed scanner for their first series of prints (Award) the artists moved on to working on paintings combining oil paint with digital printing. Large scale works printed on newspapers followed, which are ripped and pummelled in an attempt to physically portray the war-torn country and a people devastated by relentless attack. The show kicks off at the same time as the launch of the 2008 Brighton Photo Biennale curated by Julian Stallabrass. It is part of the Brighton Photo Fringe and is only the 2nd photo-based exhibition for the young gallery. The artists will host informal tours of the exhibition at the gallery on Sunday 5th 12-4pm & Saturday 11th October 11am-1pm set against the dramatic backdrop of their work. As part of the Brighton Photo Biennial ‘In Conversation Series’, Peter Kennard and Cat Picton Phillipps will be in conversation with Gordon MacDonald at the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, see Brighton Photo Biennial website for more detials OPENING HOURS: Mon - Sat: 10.00 - 18.00  |
