Sophie Von
Hellermann & Brian Griffiths
No Good Man Island
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Vilma Gold Berlin
is pleased to present the first Berlin exhibition by Sophie
von Hellermann & Brian Griffiths. Entitled No Good Man
Island the exhibition comprises new paintings and sculpture.
Inspired by the location of the Vilma Gold project space the
artists based thier show on Daniel Defoes novel Robinson Crusoe.
This much-travelled adventurer is shipwrecked and stranded on
a lonely island. Helped by his pragmatic sense and experience
as a salesman he manages to survive there for 28 years.
The story of Defoes novel is based on the real experiences of
a sailor whose tale was published in newspapers and books at
the beginning of the 18th century. Defoe stressed in the preface
that his novel would not be a fiction but a factual report,
written by the castaway Robinson Crusoe. To make it more believable,
Defoe uses a detailed language which is similar to the style
of a journalistic report.
The role of the author makes Defoes novel a part of modern literature.
Robinson Crusoe is recognized as a literary and cultural icon,,
like Don Quixote, Don Juan and Faust; the story of a man stuck
on a deserted island has become familiar to everyone in the
Western world.
Sophie von Hellermann and Brian Griffths give new life to the
myth.
While Sophie von Hellermanns paintings overlap Crusoes view,
Brian Griffith gives a new purpose to found pieces of old furniture.
The Transformation follows a pragmatic idea but emanates also
from personal addiction, aspiration and adaptation to the surrounding
enviroment which characterise the situation of the isolated
castaway. With their choice of materials the artists also deal
with the idea of the authorship of their fiction.
Sophie von Hellermann lives and works in London. Since graduating
from the Royal College of Art, London, her work was exhibited
nationally and internationally. Recent exhibitions have been
held at Greene Naftali, New York, Marc Foxx, Los Angeles, and
Vilma Gold, London. Forthcoming exhibitions include solo presentations
at Neuer Aachener Kunstverein and Chisenhale Gallery, London.
Brian Griffiths lives and works in London. Since graduating
from Goldsmiths College, London, his work was presented at Camden
Arts Center and Saatchi Gallery, both London, at Luisa Strina,
Sao Paulo, and in Barbican Center, London. Forthcoming exhibitions
will be help at Metropol Gallery, Folkstone, at Edward Mitterand,
Genf, and Vilma Gold, London.
For further information or images please contact Sarah McCrory:
+44(0) 20 8981 3344 or: sarah@vilmagold.com |
Installation view
Brian Griffiths
Love in Excess (After Elzabeth Haywood),
2005
wardrobe, fur, carved wooden women's head, sand, 250
x 125 x 65cm
Background
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (Crusoe), 2005
acrylic on canvas, 270 x 950 cm
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (sailor), 2005
acrylic on canvas, 350 x 270 cm
Brian Griffiths
Performing Ambition (for Robinson Crusoe)
organ, wood, various,127 x 120 x 340cm
Background
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (storm), 2005
acrylic on canvas, 270 x 950 cm
Brian Griffiths
Monday to Thursdsay (After Daniel Defoe),
2005
4 cast figures with wooden boxes, 2 parts, each approx
95 x 67 x 20cm
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (Crusoe), 2005
acrylic on canvas, 290 x 550 cm
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (Storm), 2005
acrylic on canvas, 270 x 950 cm
Brian Griffiths
Love in Excess (After Elzabeth Haywood),
2005
wardrobe, fur, carved wooden women's head, sand, 250
x 125 x 65cm
Installation view
Sophie von Hellermann
Untitled (Crusoe), Untitled (Sailor)
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