the exhibition Press Release - including artist biogs - Londonewcastle

Press Release
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The Future Tense Presents SPECTRA I
A Three-Part Survey Of Dynamic Colour Use In Contemporary Art
London, November 10, 2011 – The Future Tense is pleased to present SPECTRA I, the first of a three-part survey of
artists for whom dynamic colour relationships form a central pillar of their practice.
From mediaeval stained glass to Pop Art via Fauvism, bold use of colour has been explored continuously
throughout art history. Perhaps the greatest master of colour theory, Paul Klee wrote on the subject extensively and
was quoted as saying, ‘Colour is the place where our brain and the universe meet.’
In a contemporary art world endlessly fascinated with concepts of minimalism and fragility, SPECTRA I explores the
artists, mediums and substrates boldly defining the current colour zeitgeist.
Hosted at the Londonewcastle Project Space and curated by The Future Tense, SPECTRA I will be on view from
November 24 through December 18 2011, and will feature a wide range of mediums including painting, sculpture,
installation, drawing, animation and digital art from a vital international roster of 7 artists:
Lee Baker’s art practice explores the dichotomy between Japan’s fragile, intricate cultural aesthetic and the
relentless forces of urbanisation that increasingly mark its landscape. With influences ranging from the futuristic
anime of Makoto Shinkai to the modernist cityscapes of Charlie Sheeler, Baker’s meticulous paintings present stark
visions of the indomitable meta-city against the indiscriminate forces of nature. As well as new paintings, SPECTRA I
will see Baker create a site-specific installation.
Adam Ball appears in SPECTRA I fresh from exhibiting at the highly prestigious House of the Nobleman. His work
reflects the energy and life of an ephemeral world, echoing the hidden order of nature. The diverse subject matter of
his paintings and intricate hand-cut paper works – from Tropical rainforests to layered microbiological imagery – are
further abstracted through seemingly counter-intuitive use of light and colour, lending an unexpected aura of kitsch,
euphoria and energy.
Chuck Elliott’s practice is concerned with a fluid investigation of colour, movement and light. Entirely computer
generated, these organic, free-form shapes are cropped, recoloured and enhanced as if editing in a camera view.
Hovering between printmaking and photography, Chuck is endeavoring to push back the boundaries of traditional
printmaking, with direct digitised drawing and a fluid use of dynamic colour spaces and captured light. Chuck will
debut a series of innovative new laser-cut Diasec works at SPECTRA I.
Katrin Fridriks fuses the natural energies of her native Iceland with references to contemporary pop art,
architecture and Japanese calligraphy to create a uniquely expressive visual language. Her vivid abstract landscapes
envelop space, shape and time, emphasized by a tireless exploration of matter and technique. Fridriks will present a
number of new paintings at SPECTRA I, including a significant site-specific installation.
Haroshi is a self-taught Japanese artist, currently based in Tokyo. He creates full-scale, three-dimensional wooden
sculptures using intricately layered and carved recycled skateboard decks. His approach to sculpture combines the
influence of the time-honoured traditional methods of his homeland with the spirit of innovation inherent in its
contemporary culture. SPECTRA I marks the UK debut of Haroshi.
James Marshall aka ‘Dalek’ built an international reputation as a street artist before graduating from the School of
the Art Institute of Chicago in 1995. Marshall began exhibiting his work across the US before honing his skills as an
assistant to celebrated ‘Superflat’ artist, Takashi Murakami. Since dropping the Dalek moniker in 2007, his precise
and complex geometric paintings and prints have continuously pushed the boundaries of abstraction and colour
combination. The Future Tense will publish a limited edition James Marshall gravure etching to mark the launch of
SPECTRA I, printed in collaboration with Thumbprint Editions.
Jen Stark’s practice is based on the concepts of replication and infinity, her artwork echoing patterns and intelligent
designs found in nature and the theories of colour, math and science. The Miami-based artist's creations incorporate

a variety of materials, which produce optically hypnotic effects not unlike traditional mandalas and sacred objects.
SPECTRA I marks the UK debut of Jen Stark, who appears courtesy of Cooper Cole Gallery.
SPECTRA I is supported by Londonewcastle, Courvoisier and Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
Details of SPECTRA II will be announced in 2012.
For more information please email info@thefuturetense.net or visit www.thefuturetense.net
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Notes to Editors
About The Future Tense
The Future Tense seeks to challenge preconceived notions of the traditional static gallery space, delivering a
rigorous, inspiring and engaging contemporary art programme to a discerning international audience.
Founded with the primary aim of supporting the career progression of emerging artists, The Future Tense works
with a focused roster of represented talent as well as a broader cross-section of established artists via its curated
exhibitions and events.
Beyond its core arts platform, The Future Tense also develops a range of highly ambitious special projects including
the prestigious annual ‘RE:DEFINE’ benefit art exhibition and auction. Debuting in Dallas in November 2011, the
event was established with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and Goss-Michael Foundation and has raised almost
$800,000 for the AIDS charity to date, featuring artists such as Damien Hirst, Tracy Emin, Gavin Turk and Shepard
Fairey.
www.thefuturetense.net
About Londonewcastle Project Space
The Londonewcastle Project Space is a gallery and exhibition space in Shoreditch created by property brand
Londonewcastle as a platform for creatives and artists to display their work and further their practice. The gallery is
donated to users who might not otherwise have the opportunity to show their work and forms part of the ongoing
local cultural discourse.
www.londonewcastle.co.uk
About Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Peroni Nastro Azzurro has been brewed in Italy to an original recipe since its creation in 1963. Peroni Nastro Azzurro
is brewed with the same Italian passion that goes into the country's iconic exports to create a clear pale lager made
from the finest spring-planted barley and Italian maize combined with malts and hops to create the highest
standard of premium beer.
Visit www.facebook.com/peroniuk for more information.
About Courvoisier
Courvoisier is the most requested Cognac in the UK and has enjoyed an international reputation for producing the
best Cognac for centuries. Courvoisier is aimed at an audience who are motivated by the need to succeed,
exclusivity and getting where they are today by doing things differently.
Courvoisier has been producing the finest Cognacs for centuries and was appointed ‘supplier to the Imperial Courts
of Napolean III’.
Courvoisier is obsessive about the craft of Cognac-making and controls the entire process, from grape to barrel to
bottle, spending more time at each stage of the process to ensure the highest quality in all its Cognacs.
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The barrels of Courvoisier’s fine ‘Eaux de Vie’ are aged in are nothing but the best, which is why Patrice Pinet, the
master blender, hand-selects the 200-year-old oak trees, from which each one is made.
Visit www.courvoisier.com for more information.
Press Contacts
The Future Tense
Ed Bartlett
ed@thefuturetense.net
+44 (0)7801 657 499
Londonewcastle
Bianca Perna
Bianca@relativemo.com
+44 (0)7963 063 088
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