Liz Nicol

Figureheads

6th January - 8th February 2008

Gallery Discussion 8th February 2008 7-9pm

Viewfinder Photography Gallery is starting the New Year off with a show that looks to Greenwich and the sea. Not a historical journey through our rich naval past but one of the imagination.  True to form, the gallery throws you a world of representation. 

The artist and photographer Liz Nicol shows a selection from her ongoing project ‘Figureheads’.  These are large black and white photographs of layered landscapes and figureheads, a collection of frozen sculptural ship’s heads.  Looming in size and density these photographs of magnificent sea myths take on a narrative beyond their fixtures.  Towards us bends the prow of a ship through surprising seas of mountain ranges, and woodland - a figure flying, gliding and yet often grounded.  Full of mystery, there is a commemorative notion here and a sombre sense of the grave.   But conversely, a contemporary sensibility and lightness to these extraordinary creations – perhaps a light-headedness.  You are propelled towards an unconscious pang, wondering if you’ve dreamt this somewhere.  Such it is to be prey to the waves.

On Thursday 7th February there will be a gallery discussion and launch of the recently published book ‘Figureheads’.

To contact the artist: lnicol@plymouth.ac.uk