August 21 2004, Saturday, 11am-4pm, artist’s talk: 2pm (continues until September 26 2004, Sunday, 11am-5pm)
THEMED PICTURES OF RECORD-BREAKERS & MEMORIES – INCLUDING BRIDE & GROOM, CLOWNS, "EVENING SUN" PLUS, "FOREST", KING OF TONGA & PORTRAITS – ALL ON SHOW AT PARK’S FOUR-FLOORED GALLERY (FORMER PUMP HOUSE)
Earlier this month, we
told some of our subscribers about the Swedish artist, Anna Bjerger, who
graduated from the Royal College of Art and who has exhibited in group-shows in
both London and New York. Well, at around the same time we visited the opening
reception of Bjerger’s touring exhibition, currently located in a gallery within
Battersea Park. We had a chance to meet with, and talk to, the artist and some
of her work associates, from art galleries in Wales and London. On the ground
floor – as you enter the four-floored Pump House Gallery, you can see some of
Bjerger’s triumphant "record-breaking" images. Appropriate, you could say, for
this season of everything, "Olympical!" The press release we received from the
Wandsworth-based gallery, puts it well, by saying, ‘Anna Bjerger uses found
images to create her strangely familiar work. The exhibition "Angels In Your
Beer" is representative of Bjerger’s practice over the past two years, which
includes her themed paintings such as the series of works inspired by the
Guinness Book of Records, that capture small triumphs in a world of
indifference.’ The release continues, ‘Sourced from hundreds of found pictures –
recognisable images of holiday snaps, people at parties, family groups, proud
winners, and of ordinary people doing extraordinary things are transmuted by
Bjerger to produce paintings resonant with memories and traces of lives lived;
of a moment that mattered to someone. Embracing her medium, she uses the
inherent qualities of paint, letting lush colours run and drip with a
spontaneity that gives her work a paradoxically strong sense of movement as if
she was present at the scene she depicts.’ The scenes, which we saw, which come
to mind when we read this are located on the top floor. They are the two oils on
boards, "Evening Sun" (40cm x 50cm), showing a boat in water and "Forest" (30cm
x 40cm), showing tree barks.
Those interested in an image of marriage and
togetherness, will be interested in the larger, "Bride and Groom" (50cm x 60cm)
which we spotted. The two friends, who accompanied us on that Tuesday evening,
were struck by some of the portraits of the clowns (no pun intended!). On the
same floor are two portraits of girls. Clown, "Charlie Rivel" (30 x 40cm) can
also be seen in a recently painted oil on board picture, and what is that he is
holding? Go along and find out! Is the depiction a little melancholic? Let us
see… ‘The awkwardly mawkish exhibition title, "Angels In Your Beer", was also
found in an unwanted book in a charity shop. These words could be taken as
throwaway and humorous, but they are also despondent and downhearted. With the
uncanny ability to amplify the sense of significance that these photographs
have, Bjerger produces paintings that manage to contain both joy and celebration
alongside dejection and melancholy.’ Whilst this information – gained from the
press release may help, a visit to the exhibition is necessary to appreciate the
depths of presented emotions. The picture that intrigued us the most was that
of, oil on board, "King Tauf Ahan of Tonga" (30cm x 40cm). Apparently, he holds
a world record. This and more should be revealed at this afternoon’s artist’s
talk (admission free), when curator Kelly Taylor will be talking to the artist,
Anna Bjerger. Go along, meet others and enjoy discovering more for yourself.
MENU A: Free
B: 19, 44, 49, 137, 249, 319, 344 or 345
E: (see website)
L: Pump House Gallery, Battersea Park, London, SW11
N: 020 7350 0523
T: Tube: Sloane Square (Circle & District lines) / Train: Battersea Park or
Queenstown Road
W: http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/gallery/
