Tuesday 10 July 2007

ART

THINGS REMEMBERED

This post takes Brisbane Pod off the beaten track to London. The reason for this is an exhibition, "A Dream Deferred", taking place thereright now through 8 August at Haunch of Venison. Jamie Shovlin, is an artist of extraordinary talent. For readers of the baby boomer generation his ouvre is deja vu.

This new exhibition is an exploration of American history, politics and culture of the 1960's which has been fused with family history, taking as a framework his parents record collections of that time.

"A Dream Deferred", through paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture and filmed interviews with his parents is a mix of his family's history and with the history of real life events. In sum, "A Dream Deferred" presents a narrative of hope and disillusion.

Shovllin's title points to the ways in which the idealism of the 1960's has been alternately compromised, delayed and abandoned; suggesting that the American Dream has soured and given ground to darker forces.

It is a look back not in anger but in mouring for the promise of all things bright and beautiful which that generation dreamed.

A timely exhibition indeed!