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About
the Artist
Robert Lee Jenkinson achieved a BA Hons in Fine Art at University
of Hull. He could now be described as a
two-dimensional artist, who is seeking to develop an accessible
form of communication between art and
the everyday person. He uses easily identifiable subject matter
(catalogue imagery) in an uncomplicated style
as an attempt to unite art and the common man.
Selected
Exhibitions
2002 - "SWELL", University of Hull, Scarborough
2002 - "Free Range 2002", The Old Trewman Brewery, London
(nominated for the Free-Range Fine Art Award)
2002 - "Blands Cliff" Public Art Project, Scarborough
2002 - "Sefton Open", The Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport.
Artist's
Statement
''Shopping is one of the legitimate cultural pursuits of the late
twentieth century. Creativity is no longer what we make, or what
we think, but what we buy." Lord Gowrie (former Arts Minister).
"You are what you have," John Berger.
"Two statements that embody today's society. Social commentaries
that apply as much today as they did in
Post-Renaissance Europe, where oil paintings were used as a celebration
of private property - but only for the
rich and powerful. Today everyone can celebrate thanks to the new
bible - our cherished Argos catalogue;
a metaphor for a society in which retail therapy is the accepted
and, in many cases, the only known way of life. Who needs Michelangelo
when you've got Doice and Gabbana?
I am interested in making art that is intellectually more accessible
to an audience that has been manipulated
and commercially exploited, completely oblivious to their socialization.
An art that combines a social
message with aesthetic attention.
My work is reminiscent of Pop Art, but rather than celebrating consumer
culture, it is designed as an ironic
critique on today's bland commercialised society, it is more like
a post-modern deconstruction of the
Pop culture. By referencing high art, the oil paintings, and low
art, the catalogue images,
I am pointing out that art is for everyone, the subject matter is
easily identifiable to all.
Ultimately, I see my work as participatory, an attempt to develop
communication between art and audience.
It has a purpose other than decoration, to remind people that they
can have opinions of their own, if only they
would make the effort to think and make sure they get off the bus
before it reaches Argos:
"8 out of 10 owners of contemporary art, who expressed a preference,
said their cats preferred the taste of Charlie Dimmock."
If
you would like further information about artclimbers,
either as an artist or a viewer,
we may be contacted direct at
mail@artclimbers.co.uk
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