Only 10 days left until The Minotaur opens at The Old Vic Tunnels and Laz artists are busy at work. Ian Francis' brand new canvases are underway in his Bristol studio and on their way to the gallery VERY soon.
Biography
Ian Francis’ hyper-intelligent, multi-layered, work is intricate in form and content. It’s effortlessly uncomfortable whilst at the same time dramatically appealing; seemingly parochial yet peppered with pan-national references. Figures in intimate situations are illuminated by far-reaching backdrops. Mainstream motifs play out complex, open-ended scenes made with the ultra-modern methods of graphic art pioneers Bill Sienkiewicz and Dave McKean.
Francis himself says his work is “about pornography and news reports from warzones rather than sex and death”, echoing the atomized and hedonistic nature of modern everyday life. He has repeated that his work is “about celebrity”, but equally it concerns a lack of it. However, for all this the human spirit cannot be dulled and remains a force; hope, pleasure, laughter and love remain. Ian Francis is one of several Lazarides artists originating from the West Country of England.
News
A selection of originals and prints by Antony Micallef, Conor Harrington, Ian Francis, Jonathan Yeo, JR, Mode 2, Paul Insect, Stanley Donwood, Vhils and Zevs donned the walls of Lazarides' sister venture Post No Bills in Venice Beach, California. Those of us back in London at the launch of Boxi's new exhibition were certainly jealous of this candid affair. Luckily, there is never any shortage on the art/ fun metre at any event stamped with Laz approval.
Visitors will be taken on a subterranean multi-sensory experience in London's most arresting performance space, interacting with a ground-breaking series of installations from artists including: Conor Harrington, Vhils, George Osodi, Antony Micallef, Doug Foster, Todd James, Paul Insect, Mark Jenkins, Boogie, Ian Francis, Polly Morgan, Jonathan Yeo, Zak Ové, David Choe and more...
Admission is free, although due the nature of the event booking is mandatory, please visit www.hellshalfacre.co.uk to reserve your slot.
For more information please read the press release.
