Marcus Leotard ‘The Beekeepers’ Chalk and ink on wool 220 x 188cm
GALLERY46 is proud to present A WAY IN THE WORLD, an exhibition that conveys a silent story of place, movement and deprivation by Trinidadian-born painter Marcus Leotaud.
While drawn in part from elements of his own story, Leotaud’s paintings touch on displacement as one of the key players in neo-cultural dynamics. The paintings convey a perverse romanticism of various characters, from the vagabond to the migrant (or pilgrim sleeping rough). The artist is interested in this movement from place to place, and in particular, the dichotomy between those that have chosen to lead a nomadic lifestyle and others who have been forced into it.
In addition to this, A Way in the World reflects on the artist’s ultimate goal and how the final audience can have an impact on the creative process. Whilst studying at The Chelsea College of Art, where Leotaud was exposed to a theory-focused method of teaching, he began challenging personal measures of success against commendations and criticisms from the wider field. In order to transfer the legitimacy of a piece from artist to institution/ collector, Leotaud poses the question: to what degree does the artist prioritise aesthetics over theoretical concerns?
A common thread within Leotaud’s work is this internal struggle of striving to create compelling visual art that engages with a personal condition, whilst existing in an industry that can utilise critical messaging for the purpose of marketing art. This exhibition offers a new interpretation of an artist’s ‘anti-protest’ through painting.
Marcus Leotaud A WAY IN THE WORLD An exhibition of new works PRIVATE VIEW Thursday 21st November 6 – 9PM
Exhibition FRIDAY 22ND – SAT 30th November 2019 WWW.gallery46.co.uk
