Fictive Artist Robert Holcombe's Collage Exhibition Explores Surreal Mid-Century Interiors

An exhibition located on Hackney Road in East London features the collage creations of Robert Holcombe, a fictional artist conceived by Wayne Burrows. Holcombe, imagined as a contemporary of Richard Hamilton between 1948 and 1951, focused on printmaking and collage, incorporating anatomical sketches, body parts, moons, and textiles within architectural contexts. The press release highlights his fictional nature, with Burrows expressing that the character seems like it "ought to have happened." Holcombe's narrative draws inspiration from Alina Szapocznikow and includes a tenure at Leeds City Planning Offices from 1955 to 1988. His works, such as The Krakow series (1964) and The Family Bible Series (1967), address themes ranging from pop culture to religion, contrasting with the larger exhibitions of Hamilton and Höch.