Re: Landscapex

4 to 21 February 2010

Karen Grainger

Re: Landscape presents illusory photographs of English rural scenes and coastlines. Using mirrors when photographing each landscape, Karen Grainger blurs the boundary between the reflected and the real.

 
The resulting compositions feature subtle interruptions to more striking disturbances that complicate any normal, easy viewing. In each case, the images provide a compelling perspective on what often remains unseen outside of the frame. In some images, the mirror plane could almost be read as mirage or mist; in others, the image is evidently reflected but the mirror’s size and location is hard to pin down. The mirror is also used to refract and distort, duplicating trees and tilting pathways.
 
These startling works call the viewers' attention to the processes of reading and seeing images. At first glance, the images appear to be conventional landscapes but soon reveal inconsistencies and improbabilities. Rather than being invited to simply gaze into the landscape, the viewer is presented with an image that challenges representation.
 
Curator Louise Forrester comments: "I'm very excited about presenting this innovative work. The photographer invites us to share the game of understanding her landscapes, of imagining how they might have been produced – the sophisticated images are striking, and are sure to delight."
 
The artist's use of mirrors stems from her interest in the photograph as both object and image; the mirror standing as a metaphor for the photograph; both being materially limited but visually infinite. The work appears impossible in its composition, but each breach of reality only points to limitless possibility.
 
This exhibition presents an extraordinary take on the traditional landscape genre - don't miss it.
 

Artists Talk & Presentation

2.30-4pm, Saturday 20 February, free.

Karen Grainger gave a presentation about her work in the gallery, talking about the works in the exhibition and sharing her research on the perception of images and the history of the mirror as representation in art.

Exhibition catalogue

Visit the shop page to preview the exhibition catalogue, available as a digital publication (free) or in print (£2.50).

Press

Click here to see the feature in the Telegraph's Fresh Prints, 'a gallery showcasing our choice of the most exciting emerging talent in photography'

Click here to see the exhibition image on the Telegraph's Fresh Prints homepage