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The Good Book, 2005 by Simon Black.
Oil on linen, 66 x 51cm
© The Estate of Simon Black.
All rights reserved DACS 2008.
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An accomplished painter and DACS member, artist Simon Black sadly died in March this year. He was a passionate advocate for artists' rights and, away from the studio, Simon served on our Board of Directors for 15 years. In a fitting tribute, Simon Black's many achievements were recently celebrated in 'Reflections' at the Kowalsky Gallery. With occasional nods to masters of the form such as Stanley Spencer, Uccello and Fra Angelico, Simon Black's paintings are populated by figures from the everyday, often highly choreographed in scenes of heightened reality. Artist and friend Gavin Maughfling recalls, "He observed with gentle humour and a delight in the unexpected, the suddenly beautiful or celebratory happening on a mundane working day, such as the streetsweepers picking up their brooms and dancing". It was this painting, The Sweepers' Dance, which won Simon an important commission for north London's Royal Free Hospital in 2001. In preparation for what would become six paintings in all, Simon spent many months researching the different aspects of the hospital's daily life. He focused on the teamwork and interdependence of its
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workers, from surgeons and nurses to cleaners and catering staff. These paintings now hang in the hospital's Sir William Wells Atrium and are enjoyed by the thousands of people who move through the prime public meeting space each year.
In his last years, Simon turned his attention to a series of paintings of daily London life. What is so special about this series is how it captures the complexity and diversity of city life. "He was truly on a roll," says Maughfling. "In these last paintings Simon harnessed his techniques of composition, drawing and form to portray a 21st century city. Above all, he was able to describe and pin down the exact nature of London
light, sometimes flat and grey, at other times shrouded in mist or suddenly silvery and glistening." 'Simon Black – Reflections' was on show from 17 October – 19 December 2008. The exhibition moves to the Manchester Jewish Museum in the New Year.
The Kowalsky Gallery's next exhibition, 'New to DACS', opens in February 2009. The exhibition will showcase a selection of works by Copyright Licensing members who joined DACS in 2007-08.
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Simon Black Reflections
11 January – 5 March 2009
Manchester Jewish Museum
190 Cheetham Hill Road
Manchester M8 8LW
Contact the museum
for opening times
T 0161 834 9879
Further info at:
www.manchester
jewishmuseum.com
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New to DACS
4 February – 24 April 2009
Kowalsky Gallery
33 Great Sutton Street
London EC1V 0DX
During exhibitions the
Kowalsky Gallery is open
weekdays by appointment
10am - 5pm and
First Thursday of every
month until 9pm.
To book: call 020 7336 8811 or contact us.
Further info at: www.kowalskygallery.co.uk
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