Joe Black

18 October - 19 November 2013

Ways of Seeing at Opera Gallery London

Over the past decade captivating artist Joe Black has enjoyed a steady rise to fame on the London art scene and is consistently praised for his thought-provoking yet meticulous portraits that take centre stage at Opera Gallery London. From October 18th Joe Black unveils his debut solo exhibition ‘Ways of Seeing’ at the Opera Gallery London to coincide with the Frieze Art Fair.

With admirers including Bono, Noel Gallagher, Liam Howlett, Russell Brand, Noel Fielding, Joséphine de La Baume and Jimmy Carr, Black’s latest exhibition explores the way we see pictures by making art work that is both seen as a whole and as a collection of small united parts. His ambition is for the audience to experience the striking scale and the intricate detail at once. The exhibition ‘Ways of Seeing’ emphasises the strong importance of seeing Joe Black’s work close-up and far away.

“'Up close' and 'far way'” - Joe Black

Joe’s choice of imagery is carefully selected from popular culture so it can be easily recognised. An example of this is “Workers of the World, Unite!” a portrait of Mao Zedong, made from 9,000 hand-painted toy soldiers. However, in Joe Black’s portrayal of the icon, the merging of old and new techniques present the subject in a new context.

Joe Black does this by selecting small common objects, such as; test tubes, toy soldiers and badges to pay tribute to the subject. Looking closer, the object emerges and gives great expression and personality to the subject. This is perfectly executed in “Star”, using handpainted chess pieces to signify the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, as a player who out manoeuvred his political opponents to become a super power. Through his time-intensive technique Joe Black has created an alternative form of pixelation, assembled entirely by hand.

"Joe Black is an artist that all members of the public can enjoy. Not a single person who sees one of his works can remain indifferent to his intricate meticulous technique and to the perfection that lies within each of his artworks! "- Jean-David Malat, Director and curator of Opera Gallery London

The objects incorporated in each portrait signify hidden meanings within the work and although Joe Black has his own ideologies, whether personal, political or social, his work is often tongue in cheek and playful but left open to interpretation of his audience.

About The Artist
Born in 1973, Joe Black studied as a sculptor before moving on to illustration, working for many years as a successful commercial artist, before becoming a full time fine artist. Joe Black now focuses solely on his personal body of art.

Ways of Seeing at Opera Gallery London from October 18th to November 19th, 2013