ArtHeat

I hadn't been to the new What if the World... space before, and I was impressed. It's a very professional looking space, with a nice hint of the industrial (there's a cool winch and pulley thing attached to a steel girder). Only problem is that 11 'o' clock openings do not suit, even if it does get the Market crowd in. I was there to take a look at Andrzej Nowicki's The Gloaming, a show of oils and watercolours. I really enjoyed the oils, they had a dark Neo Rauch feel to them, infused with a surreal espionage aesthetic. Never creepy, just sad and empty people going about their strange businesses and exchanges. I wasn't as convinced by the watercolours, which, in losing the monumental size of the oils, sank into being a bit more trendy Japanesey Internet Cartoonsy. Not that it makes them any less charming; they are saved by nice brushwork, and some surprising moments.
All in all, Nowicki is a painter to watch. I heard that the show sold out (although being What if the World... I wouldn't trust that the prices were anything near decent).

Labels: Andrzej Nowicki, review