GAVIN TURK

Gavin Turk is renowned for transforming banal, overlooked objects – refuse bags, apple cores, matchboxes – into intricately constructed works of fine art, be it through his hand-painted bronzes or masterful canvas paintings.

For his new project he began by preserving and cataloguing used disposable packaging, in what the artist refers to as ‘an exercise in self-portraiture.’ By listing the products depicted in each composition in the artwork titles, Turk offers a glimpse into his consumption habits, prompting reflection on the significance of these mundane artifacts as traces of human presence over time. As Turk aptly states, “We are what we throw away.”

Each work is set within a bespoke frame, suggesting a distinctive historical journey for each piece, culminating in their convergence for this exhibition.The paintings are meticulously executed in a restricted tonal palette against a monochrome background, sometimes highlighting an objects in accents of colour, inviting a close study of rhythmically arranged lines and forms. Through the elevation from empty containers of used products to classical models, Turk challenges the viewer to explore this juxtaposition, while simultaneously reminding us of our consumer driven culture.