Gulgoleth: Group Exhibition
The skull has long been of interest to artists – from the old masters with their still life renditions to the contemporary artists of today, it is a subject that continues to fascinate. Gulgoleth explores the work of four artists – John Armleder, Max Gimblett, Martin Poppelwell and Andy Warhol – and their unique interpretations of this enduring motif.
A large mirrored skull ‘mask’ represents the work of Swiss born John Armleder. Reflecting the viewer it unforgivingly stares out into the exhibition space, it’s surface broken only by the crevices of it’s own features. “John Armleder resists pigeonholing. [He] draws on, juxtaposes and merges styles and procedures from modernist art, modern design and modern life: constructivism, art deco, suprematism, action painting, minimalism, op art, disco, Hawaiian music and monster movies all find a place in his work.” (Artspace text, April 1999)
Recent work by Max Gimblett includes a triptych of skulls made from ancient Kauri gum. The features have been carved from the gum with the resulting idiosyncrasies of the material adding to the ‘personality’ of each skull. Alongside is Libation, 1994 / 95 – an installation work featuring eighteen copper skulls. For Gulgoleth they have been formally arranged in a row, yet the form of the installation is variable and open to interpretation. Gimblett has also completed new works on paper for the exhibition.
Hawkes Bay based artist Martin Poppelwell is represented by a series of seven slip cast ceramic skulls. Although three dimensional, their proportions are disconcertingly slightly smaller than the average human skull. In glossy glazes of red, white and black they act as playfully ironic reminders of our own mortality.
Andy Warhol’s iconic Skull screenprints complete the exhibition. With their bright colours and sensibility they lighten the somewhat grim subject matter. Executed in 1976 these works are the memento mori for the Pop generation - a lurid and colourful adaptation of an Old Master motif. They provide a counterpoint to the infinite variety of the many faces of celebrity that were also executed by Warhol around this period.
With the variety of styles, materials and interpretations, Gulgoleth provides viewers with a snapshot of one subject and it’s myriad of manifestations through the eyes of the artist.