Monsters Inked at the Idea Generation
Words by Sophie Eggleton
How do you feel about Monsters? Maybe you haven’t given it much thought. But for many they contributed to a childhood night-time fear, with the fantastical stars of absorbing comic books or horrific villains gorily depicted in the horror movies we watch with grim fascination. Others find thrill from the innovative enhancements and supernatural abilities described in Sci- Fi tales, the rest will more than likely hold affection for the animated versions starring in pathos ridden Dreamworks/Pixar stories.
I’ve always veered towards being a believer rather than a sceptic, liking the idea of so-called mythical creatures and aliens, enjoying the intrigue and mystery surrounding the likes of Bigfoot, Yetis and Abominable Snowmen. I was therefore instantly excited by the tag line of this exhibition when it came to my inbox - Inside the Minds of The Gods of Monsters.
The Monsters Inked show, held in the trendy space of Idea Generations, explores different artists’ personal take on their beloved monster species, and aims to bring the species to life via various techniques and styles. Aside from the monster representations I mentioned previously are those ranging from the slightly ridiculous and camp (but much loved) Doctor Who, to hyper reality where CGI is used to such affect that you could imagine the monsters existing amongst us. However, this exhibition generally angles away from this and the painted historical masterpieces steeped with religious connotations that frequent stiffer venues such as The National Gallery and more towards contemporary interpretations which are vivid, frequently laden with humour or fun (with some more serious underlying inspiration but mostly a love of B horror movies and a love of artists such as Jack Davis).
I particularly liked CIG’S Andrew Bannecker’s pieces. He gave his 2D monsters a sense of life and reality, featuring the creatures in criminal mug-shots, their capture leading you to wonder what sort of mischief they may have got up to and what dastardly deeds may have committed! The savvy inclusion of Ricky Gervais’ Flanimals collaborator Rob Steen is sure to reel in the crowds, with twenty humorous images (in their first exhibition) ranging from morbidly obese to scrawny, expelling bodily fluids, contorting and gurning, managing to look both repugnant and loveable, often sporting comical coifs. The amalgamation of words to create their names, functions and characteristics add to their childish charm - the invented phrases gifting our vocabulary with fun new deprecating adjectives. As well as Bannecker, Monsters Inked showcases some of Central Illustration Agency’s finest home grown and international artists including Mick Brownfield, Mick Marston, Martin Haake, Jonas Bergstrand, Nishant Choski, Triston Eaton and Ray Smith, whose kaleidoscopic head shaped mirror images look like tribal big brother figures.
The artists, including the bespectacled Peter Fowler, attended the private view. He was proudly sporting a desirable Blue Peter badge on his tweed lapel: the sought after reward given to the whole team of monster fanatics and Ideas Generation team after featuring on the iconic kid’s TV show. His vivid works are recognizable to many after being immortalized as record sleeves for Welsh heroes The Super Furry Animals, as well as various high profile TV and print campaigns. His enthusiasm for the theme was apparent in scale alone, with a dazzling 800 sq ft vinyl installation of Monsterism Island, a piece that calls for the viewer to stop and scan, finding everything from hooded creatures playing banjos and horns, to larger monsters releasing what looks to be some sort of noxious gas into the atmosphere.
I’m always pleased to see artists deliver sketches as well as their polished, realized versions- I often found fellow fine art students sketchbooks a lot more interesting than their final pieces. As well as charming sketched versions of Flanimals (which are on sale as well as the inkjet versions) the steps that lead up to the mezzanine viewing gallery (which allows you to take in the full splendor of Fowler wall piece) featured pull outs from various artists’ development processes. These steps also lead to the commercial Asian work, the Moshi Monsters, including the comical, child friendly Hotdiggedytdog (which is half dog half hot dog) - who is, with his fellow Moshis, up for adoption!
The exhibit lends itself perfectly as a lunch break/after work peruse but is equally pleasurable for longer studies - many images delivering more with each second of viewing. It also delivers what is fast becoming a welcome addition to straightforward shows - interactivity and participation. For children you can hunt for a monster within the gallery space, enter the monsters’ den and contribute your own drawing during artist led workshops. There is also a digital zone for online chat and internet access. The way Ideas Generation marketed the exhibition continued the theme, using the phenomenon of social networking to draw in crowds - I found myself in a surreal discussion on Facebook chat with Molf Flanimal, who was urging me to attend the private view!
Monsters Inked: Inside the Minds of the Gods of Monsters - Ideas Generation Gallery, 11 Chance Street, London, E2 7JB - April 8th to 4th May 2009; http://www.ideageneration.co.uk
Posted Wed, April 15, 2009
Comments on Monsters Inked at the Idea Generation
the sketches going up the stairs we’re all mine actually, glad you liked them though!
tom
Posted by: Tom Jennings | 15/04/2009 at 19:13