Lovers of hyperlocal straight lines [hellooo!] should feel at home at The Minories between now and 9th March. Ron Sims is exhibiting: Visual Genetics, Human and Animal.
Which once you translate the rather lofty title through The Chronic Tell It Like It Is online generator, you get: Straight Lines for a Wonky Town.
A little more detail maybe?
The Sunny Colch connection is that Ron studied at the Colchester School of Art between 1961 – 65. This Pop Art period has characterised his work ever since. As has the hyperlocal landscape – the current exhibition includes many identifiable Essex and Suffolk landmarks.
The straight lines are well suited to the landscape of Essex Mills and Suffolk waterfront locations. Most of The Minories exhibition is picture based, although installations are also included. It here that the symmetry of the work really leaps out at you.
A trestle table is a nice hat tip to the current Hammer Prints exhibition across the road @firstsite. A similar technique is put in place for the curation of the Paolozzi and Henderson retrospective. It’s no coincidence – Ron was taught and heavily influenced by the work coming out of Thorpe-Le-Soken in the late ’50s.
The Girdling Room at The Minories is where the exhibition really comes alive. The artwork increases in size and dominates the space. With the aim of addressing the relationship between animate and inanimate objects, you soon become caught up and involved in the imagery.
Or maybe that was just The Chronic?
A video showcasing the work of Ron Sims filmed in 1976 is available on loop. It is reassuring to see that little appears to have changed in both technique and design.
Don’t let the Visual Genetics, Human and Animal title confuse you. Straight Lines for a Wonky Town should see you right.
You can catch it at The Minories through until 9th March.
Admission is FREE.
5 Comments
I really, really, recommend this exhibition. It is very well hung as well. But dont take my word for it, go and have a look. Bear in mind the cafe is shut.
A great exhibition! Don’t forget both, firstsite and the Minories, have late night opening on Feb 1st.
As an added bonus in another room at the Minories is the April Centre “anonymous’ exhibition showing the creativity of Colchester’s homeless community. Have a look while you’re in the building.
‘Very well hung’
‘Cafe is shut’
Far out.
The work of the homeless sounds like the best reason to visit.
Seems to have a thing for north east perspective in the last grouping
There are a few pieces that I like – especially the ‘huts’ and the black and white stairs and the two above it.