Workplace Gallery is pleased to announce the first solo exhibition of Leeds College of Art alumnus Eric Bainbridge at Workplace London. Eric studied the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design from 1973 to 1974 at the College and is now frequently cited as one of the most influential British artists working in contemporary sculpture.
'Late 90's Constructions' brings together a body of works made by Bainbridge in 1997 that specifically address the history of Modernism and the traditional material hierarchies of Modernist Sculpture. In these works Bainbridge employs ubiquitous 'low - grade' materials such as melamine faced chipboard and dental floss to reappraise a Formalist vocabulary.
Image: Eric Bainbridge, Untitled, 1997, Melamine faced chipboard, plastic, gloss paint, nails, screws, dental floss, 28 x 26 x 25 cm, 11 1/8 x 10 1/4 x 9 7/8 in (EB0439)
'...the small scale of these sculptures allows for various references - constructivism, architecture, the amateur 'string picture', the still life etc. Although I don't consider them as maquettes, the size of the work enables an active imaginative relationship to the object, i.e. it is easy to fantasize about their potential large scale and environmental potential. I wanted to continue exploring the aesthetic, status, and value of the material by using a language that was recognizably modernist. It seemed important that the works 'belonged' to something historical. I like the idea* that if all things were destroyed and we had to remake the contents of museums without "special" materials maybe we would use melamine and dental floss...' Eric Bainbridge, 2014
Eric Bainbridge was born in Consett, County Durham, UK in 1955. He went on to complete a Masters in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, London in 1981. Bainbridge's work is in significant international collections including the Stedelijk Collection, Arts Council England Collection and the Tate Collection and he now lives and works in Sunderland, Hartlepool and London.
Late 90's Constructions, runs from 8th August - 20th September 2014 at Workplace London. Full information can be found here.
Other forthcoming exhibitions include Eric Bainbridge, Workplace Gateshead, 20th September - 25th October 2014. Workplace will also be presenting a solo booth of Eric Bainbridge at Frieze Art Fair, Regent's Park, London, 15th - 18th October 2014 (Booth H10) http://friezelondon.com
