Brian Griffiths’ exhibition is inspired by the Hollywood icon Bill Murray
Image: Brian Griffiths 2015, courtesy the artist
An artist with an innate sense of imagination, London artist Brian Griffiths forces the viewer to look at objects and, in this case, people, with a fresh perspective. In the artist’s work it’s common to find unusual juxtapositions – ‘the body and ground (or your lovely smile)’ ropes a tent-like structure over a giant bear head sculpture, with both amusing and faintly depressing results – but his new exhibition, entitled Bill Murray: A Story of Distance, Size and Sincerity takes inspiration from the titular celebrated actor.
Using the basis of Bill Murray’s persona – “the global superstar, guy-next-door, anti-brand brand, irrepressible lothario, dignified clown and droll philosopher” – the Goldsmiths graduate presents a confusing view of scale, size, closeness and distance. Utilising found materials and everyday objects, Griffiths forces objects together with architecture – from a lavish LA beach house to a historic Scottish mansion – into a series of set pieces which are grounded on tables throughout the gallery space.
Promising to be a humorous as well as thought-provoking exhibition, the artist will also take part in a discussion with Alessandro Vincentelli, curator or exhibitions and research at BALTIC, on Wednesday 10th February.