Zoo Award - 2006 Winner
Image by Thierry Ball courtesy of David Lock and FRED Gallery
2006 Winner
David Lock was chosen as the winner of the John Jones Art on Paper Award for his series of works 'Misfits'
Beauty and its construction is an enquiry central to Lock's artistic practise. David produces collages taking elements from glossy magazine advertisements of pictures of film and music stars. All the elements of perfection are combined to form a new figure that jars with our comceptions of beauty.These works question the idea of the unified harmonic form being the only option for beauty.
Lock's new work develops this consideration of the human and animal form, in their concern with the traits humans acquire in symbiosis with noble animals. These investigations into relationships between humanity and the animalistic culminate in a modern cultural phenomenon from film; the tragic figure of the werewolf. Although he is a violent threatening figure, ultimately he is tragic. The werewolf is a victim who is powerless to control his shape shifting, becoming vulnerable and horrified at his transformation into beast.
"David's work is a highly accomplished watercolour on paper. It uses the grain of the paper and the build up of paint to create a heightened sense of familiarity within a portrait. The portraits are painted from collaged elements which, collectively handled in such a way, create a convincing sense of the particular. The use of collage to begin with, the painting of the broken, bringing it together to make it whole within the same surface gives a recognition in art that also carries a sweet but sad touch".
Sacha Craddock
Our thanks to the 2006 selection panel:
Sir Peter Blake, artist
Sacha Craddock, art critic
Diana Eccles, British Council
Danny Rolph, artist
For further information on David Lock, please visit www.fred-london.com
Image: David Lock ‘Misfits’ Series of portraits 2006
Exhibition Images
