An art review of the exhibition ‘Tropes’ by Adam Smith & Sam Gimson at Level Best Enterprises. Written by Trainee gallery assistants Shelby, Owen, Sophie and Claire, (& Tiana) with assistance from staff member Beth.
We don’t really know much about the artists – but they are friends or maybe a couple. They are both boys. We think they are from Essex. They both have painted nude bodies, so perhaps they have been to life drawing together.
The paintings are very neat and well presented. The frames match really well.
The artists have captured every detail and the shadows really well. The paintings are odd and some are a bit interesting.
There is a painting of a man with his genitals showing, which has prompted a lot of discussion, because it looks both like a man’s naked body but also like a dog’s face with its tongue hanging out. Claire says ‘it does NOT look like a dog’s tongue, it looks like something else – It is very expressive art.’ Shelby says, ‘If you put eyes on his genitals, it would look like a caterpillar.’
We think the exhibition looks tidy and professional, but it does make us laugh because there is a lot of nudity. Sophie says the room feels inappropriate, but ‘Adam’s work is very neutral – it makes me feel inspired.’
The art is mainly life drawing and drawings of real-life objects. It is about being naked and about bodies in different forms. Owen says the hot girls remind him about his girlfriend.
Shelby’s favourite piece is ‘Forest’ by Adam ‘because I don’t like everything else.’ Also, the church by Sam ‘I like the soft colours, its like pale and peachy – pastel colours. It stands out and is an interesting building’ She does like the ‘spa nude’ because the model looks relaxed, but maybe a bit fed up.
Claire’s favourite is the standing nude by Sam. ‘I like the one that is meant to look like a dog with its tongue out. It is interesting, very different to any art I’ve seen before.’
Owen likes all of the female nudes in the show, ‘I like the boobies’. He also likes the ‘Forest’ by Adam, it reminds him of going camping with his Dad. Also Owen finds the clothed seated figure by Sam ‘off balance and interesting’.
Claire doesn’t like the seated nude with ginger hair because ‘the boobs are on the south side’. Shelby agrees that ‘they are a bit floppy.’
Owen says he doesn’t like the church pictures by Sam ‘because they remind me of funerals.’
In summary, the exhibition reminds us that different bodies come in different shapes and sizes. ‘If you aren’t feeling good about your body, come along to remind you that we are all different’. Tiana says ‘it reminds us to get our boobies checked for breast cancer. They are just another body part.’ Owen says, ‘Come down to see the ladies and their boobies’
We give the exhibition the following marks out of 10:
- Shelby – 3/10 because I don’t like what he paints (Sam)
- Claire – 8/10 they are well-painted but I don’t really like the content
- Sophie – 8/10 I like the church, the nudes are interesting, I like the colours but I think it needs a bit more.
- Owen – 9/10 for the nudes ‘Hot models – very sexy!
Tropes is showing at Level Best Gallery until 30th October.
