Roy Oxlade's 2004 Exhibition Catalogue Dialogue on Painting's Metaphorical Modernism
In a conversation featured in the 2004 catalog for 'ROY OXLADE: STANDARDS' at Art Space Gallery, artist Roy Oxlade critiques modern painting. He finds 'window-on-the-world' styles and 'mutant' conceptual art uninteresting, promoting instead a form he calls 'metaphorical modernism,' exemplified by van Gogh's The Night Café, Rousseau's floral works, and Matisse's creations. Oxlade also critiques abstraction, referencing Philip Guston's later pieces as a response. He shows little enthusiasm for figures from the 'School of London,' such as Francis Bacon. Describing his artistic process as speculative and musically influenced by Bach and Mozart, he asserts that the effectiveness of painting hinges on personal interpretation and careful choices.
Key facts
- The dialogue was published in the catalogue for Roy Oxlade's exhibition 'ROY OXLADE : STANDARDS'.
- The exhibition was held at Art Space Gallery, London, from 11 March to 10 April 2004.
- Oxlade advocates for 'metaphorical modernism' in painting, citing van Gogh, Rousseau, and Matisse.
- He criticizes abstraction as a diversion and the 'School of London' artists like Francis Bacon.
- Oxlade describes his painting process as beginning with speculative elements and undergoing revision.
- He discusses listening to Bach and Mozart while painting, referencing his work 'No.13 Book 1'.
- The dialogue mentions Philip Guston's painting 'East Coker T.S.E.' and its connection to T.S. Eliot's poetry.
- Oxlade reflects on painting's absurdity and the challenge of establishing criteria for judgment.
Entities
Artists
- Roy Oxlade
- van Gogh
- Rousseau
- Matisse
- Philip Guston
- Francis Bacon
- Lucian Freud
- Frank Auerbach
- R.B. Kitaj
- Ivon Hitchens
- David Bomberg
- Howard Hodgkin
- Bach
- Mozart
- Mitsuko Uchida
- Glenn Gould
- Brahms
- T.S. Eliot
- Cézanne
- Achille Emperaire
- Vaughan Williams
Institutions
- Art Space Gallery
- Art Space Gallery, London
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Grenoble
- France
- Paris