NOT NOT
"NOT NOT" the exhibition by Andrew Webb was held at the Annie Gentils Gallery, in Antwerp, Belgium from 24th of January until 8th of March 2008.
Press Release
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"The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian, Not" 2007
Gesso, Gold Leaf on Board, Missal covers, Framed under glass; 126 x 56 cm.
The heavenly wounds of St. Sebastian, formed by the missal covers, will over time turn from silver to black, closing the punctures. Sebastian, protector against the plague, did not die from the arrows, but was clubbed to death, later, in Rome.
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"The Not Plinth" 2008
Wood, Gesso, Gold Leaf; 88 x 44 x 44 cm.
The Not Plinth is not a plinth; its' 'stepped' top denying its' function. It is not a sculpture, although it evokes sculpture. The works' dimensions relate to the golden section, a device used in painting. The piece consists of two steps - 'step' translates into flemish as 'pas', into french as 'pas' and 'pas' into english as 'not'.
"Step in the Right Direction" 2008
Wood, Gesso, Gold Leaf, Missal, Felt; 44 x 22 x 22 cm.
This work is the missing 'Section' from the 'Not Plinth'. However, divorced from its' origin it no longer retains its' function - like the free floating step in Jarry's 'Fear Visits Love'. To give the object its' raison d'etre it rests on a missal. The title both names and invites.
"Pest" 2008
Iron Step Re-enforcement; 130 x 4 x 2 cm. Gold Leaf, Plinth; 120 x 24 x 24 cm.
'Pest', an anagram of 'step', consists of an iron step reinforcement that has been gilded on its' upper side, leaning against a badly made plinth. Corroded over time and sprung loose from one of the steps leading down to the artists' studio - this 'pest' soon became a lethal trap. ('Trap' in flemish translates as 'step'.)
"4AW" 2006 - 2008
Dia. 20 x 13 cm
(Glass Piss Pot, with 'AW' engraved on the base [inside], broken handle repaired with lead disc, placed on a gold disc.)
As with many works by Webb there is a 'conversation' here with the work of Marcel Duchamp. In this piece the reference t'.o "Fountain", 1917 and the fact that Webb's piss pot is made of glass is glaringly obvious. The Artist's initials are etched into the base, acting as a target - AW, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The title is a phonetic pun on the flemish pronunciation of; 'for a piss'.
"Illumination II" 2008
Gesso, Gold Leaf on Board, Flies, Framed under glass; 61 x 61 cm.
Like a relgious icon, the shape of a hand floats in heavenly gold, covered, at a slight angle, by the outline of the hand etched into the glass - squashed between them two flies. The piece recalls the Antwerp saying; "Two flies in one clap." The title refers to an illuminated page, the poems of Rimbaud and in particular the 'Voyelles' sonet where "des mouche éclatant."
"The List of St. Sebastian" 2008
Two Panels; Oil on Board; 61 x 61 cm, Oil, Bole, Gold Leaf on Board:123 x 52 cm, Ink Jet Print; A4.
Here the wounds of St. Sebastian, raw holes in the panel with the dried blood colour of the bole awaiting the gold, are shown against a sky blue. They are numbered from one to seven and the panel is hung at an angle - a pin on the word 'list'. Their 'metaphysical' shadows are painted on a separate panel.
"The Red Divide" 2007
Missal Covers, Felt, Framed under glass; 50 x 50 cm, Water colour on Knot Paper; 42 x 32 cm, Oil on Board; 50 x 50 cm, Ink Jet Print; A4.
"Not Not" 2008
Book, Half Bound in Leather on Both Spines, with Gold Letters; 20.5 x 13.5 x 3 cm.
'Not Not' is a book half-bound in leather - a book with two spines, each baring the title 'Not'. 'Not Not' is a tautology - a reiteration - as well as a contradiction, both of Wittgenstein's 'truth conditions' rolled into one. This is another of Webb's pieces where the oject is placed 'beyond use' - its' putative function transformed, it's pages sealed.
"Stool" 2007
Water Colour on Knot Paper; 42 x 32 cm, Wooden Milking Stool, Oil ( Rose D'Ore ), Bulldog clip.
"Do Disturb" 2008
Water Colour on Knot Paper; 42 x 32 cm.
"Two Closed Volumes" 2007
"Chrysanthemum" 2007
Oil on Ceiling Rose; Dia. 60 cm.
"Knot Circus" 2008
Steel ring; 8 cm, Water Colour on Knot Paper, Found Material.
"Made In Belgium" 2007
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