Dale Lewis returns to painting with deeply personal Edel Assanti show

British artist Dale Lewis, who nearly quit painting to study horticulture, presents his fourth exhibition at London's Edel Assanti, his first solo show in London in five years. The works, created in acrylic, oil, and spray paint, revisit his childhood in a damp council flat, his grandfather's death, and class and mental health issues. Pieces like 'The Bell' incorporate memories of migrant protests in Essex and a tribute to Gemma Collins, while 'Mould' features a Union Jack referencing both innocence and nationalism. His horticultural studies appear in 'Kiss Goodbye,' depicting extinct butterflies. Lewis says the process was cathartic, making art for himself after feeling lost post-Covid. The show runs until 14 August.