Bevis Martin & Charlie Youle: A Parade of Problems

GALLERY ///

A Parade of Problems continues Bevis Martin and Charlie Youleʼs ongoing, more or less directionless, exploration of human knowledge via the production of handmade approximations of mental structures.

Through ceramics, maquettes, wall works and stuffed textiles, the duo have conjured a strange and awkward mathematic imaginary for their debut UK solo show. Ostensibly preparing for some sort of parade, the numerical forms that populate the gallery – ranging from blind drunk numbers to invented wiggly symbolic sets – speak of a certain fallibility that surrounds mathematics (or for that matter any theoretical system) as and when it descends from its abstract mantle to enter the everyday world where lay-folk are free to use, abuse, misunderstand and transform it according to their particular needs.

The air is heavy with compromise, then, as “real” math is put aside once and for all (it was probably too hard and complicated anyway). Instead a disturbed and sorry representation – how math is when it doesnʼt really work, breaks down or just becomes plain ridiculous – is revealed in its place…

Bevis Martin (b. 1975) and Charlie Youle (b. 1977) are collaborating artists currently living in Nantes, France. A Parade of Problems is their debut solo exhibition at a UK public space. Recent group exhibitions include Glaze (Bischoff/Weiss, London, 2011) and Notes & Projects (Hollybush Gardens, London, 2011). They are represented by Galerie Samy Abraham, Paris. 

Preview Thu 1st Sept, 6 – 9 pm