{"id":27344,"date":"2015-02-27T20:25:47","date_gmt":"2015-02-28T01:25:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=27344"},"modified":"2015-04-01T15:35:24","modified_gmt":"2015-04-01T19:35:24","slug":"david-spriggs-the-nature-of-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=27344","title":{"rendered":"David Spriggs: The Nature of Power at Neubacher Shor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the past fifteen years, David Spriggs has developed a signature style of layering images on transparencies, creating hybrid spaces that bend the traditional constructs of painting and sculpture. This method involves airbrushing two-dimensional images onto multiple sheets of transparent film, which are then hung together in horizontal cuts to form a three dimensional object.\u00a0 Four of these distinct works are currently on display at Neubacher Shor as part of The Nature of Power,<\/em> a solo show of Spriggs work that spans nearly a decade of the artist\u2019s production.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Installation view. Photo: Mitch Billinkoff<\/p>\n

“Retinal II” is the most recent work on display in the exhibition. Aspects of vision and their relation to power are highly important in Spriggs transparency works. Despite the fragmentary nature of the medium, the work manages to convey a sense of depth and the impression of physical presence despite lacking a real physicality.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>David Spriggs, “Retinal II”, 2013.\u00a0Acrylic on layered transparent plastic film, 31.5 x 20.5 x 15.25 inches. Photo: Courtesy of Neubacher Shor Contemporary<\/p>\n

“Ideologies” reveals a similar, if not cosmic, sense of volume. The spectral forms appear as a frozen moment in time and space. Elements of the Italian Futurists and Cubism are undoubtedly present here and elsewhere in the exhibit. Concepts of speed and movement (Futurism) and the hybridity of a space that breaks the laws of what restricts a two and three-dimensional form (Cubism) are particularly present.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>David Spriggs, “Ideologies”, 2008. White acrylic paint on transparent film, display case, metal stand springs, lighting, 75 x 48.5 x 22.5 inches. Photo: Courtesy of Neubacher Shor Contemporary<\/p>\n

The crown jewel of the show, however, and the work that provides a perfect summation of Spriggs explored themes and influences is “The Paradox of Power“. <\/em>This monumental work, measuring eight feet high and ten feet wide has the presence of a standalone exhibition, as it did when it was originally exhibited as part of Spriggs graduate thesis at Art Mur in 2007. Here, the cloud-like bull shares a connection with the Futurist ideal of simultaneous multiple representation from a variety of angles. Traditionally a symbol of power and virility, here the bull has not only been fragmented but flipped upside down and rendered immobile. Additionally, it has been separated in half by opposing binary colours of red and blue – furthering the paradox of power.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>David Spriggs, ”\u00a0The Paradox of Power”, installation, 2007, Red and blue acrylic on layered transparent film sheets, display case, springs, lighting, 04 x 124 x 36 inches. Photo: Mitch Billinkoff<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em>David Spriggs, ”\u00a0The Paradox of Power”, installation, 2007, Red and blue acrylic on layered transparent film sheets, display case, springs, lighting, 04 x 124 x 36 inches. From left to right:\u00a0side view,\u00a0front view, side view.\u00a0Photo: Mitch Billinkoff<\/p>\n

The Nature of Power <\/em>offers an insightful view into the past decade of David Spriggs artistic production during which he has explored themes of power, energy and optics. “The Paradox of Power“<\/em>, the centerpiece of the show, is worth making the trip on its own. The work is both ambitious in its technique and scale and can only be truly appreciated in person. Though the exhibition doesn\u2019t contain any new works from the artist, if you haven\u2019t seen these works up close before I highly recommend paying a visit to Neubacher Shor Contemporary.<\/p>\n

Mitch Billinkoff<\/p>\n

*Exhibition Information: February 6 – March 7, 2015, Neubacher Shor Contemporary, 5 Brock Avenue, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sat 12 – 5 p.m.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Mitch Billinkoff<\/strong><\/p>\n

“The Paradox of Power”, the centerpiece of the show, is worth making the trip on its own. The work is both ambitious in its technique and scale and can only be truly appreciated in person. <\/p>\n

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