Ian Chamberlain - Monuments Remain - 16 November to 7 December 2019

Ian Chamberlain’s work reinterprets man-made structures as monuments placed within the landscape, that act as architectural metaphors of past and current technological achievements. With a longstanding fascination with technology and architectural forms, these have included structures within industry, agriculture, science and the military, including Goonhilly Earth station, The Lovell Telescope, The Maunsell Sea Forts and the Acoustic Sound. Some of these structures Ian Chamberlain represents are now defunct or have been superseded or reconfigured for different uses; the unrelenting obsolescence of technology leaving these monuments behind. His most recent body of work deals with The Atlantic Wall, the WWII German defence system built along the west coast of Europe, with these brutalist forms interpreted as architectural metaphors concerning boundaries and borders.

He is interested in the use of a traditional print process, such as etching, being used to record subject matter that is generally at the cutting edge of technology for its time. The etchings become an extension of his drawing practice and allow him to record location through the interlinking processes of drawing and printmaking. The resultant work serves as a visual historical document and record of places that he has visited.

Ian Chamberlain (b.1976 Pembury, UK) studied BA Illustration at the University of the West of England (1995-98) and MA Multi-Disciplinary Printmaking at UWE (1999-2000). He has exhibited nationally and internationally including in Barcelona, Berlin, Hong Kong, London, New York and Sydney with his work included in several collections including the V&A and Ashmolean Museum. Selected group exhibitions include: London Original Print with Rabley Gallery (2018); Jerwood Drawing Prize 2017, London & UK tour; Jealous needs you in collaboration with Jealous, Saatchi Gallery, London (2017); The London Art Fair with Anise Gallery, London (2017); Royal Academy Summer Show, London (2016/17/18/19); Aesthetica Art Prize, York St Marys, York (2016); Neo: Print Prize, Bolton (2016); The Masters, curated by Norman Ackroyd, Bankside Gallery, London (2016). 

Exhibition opening hours are: Fridays & Saturdays 12-4pm.

Associated events:

Exhibition Preview is on Saturday 16 November from 12noon to 5.30pm
Drawing Discussion with Ian Chamberlain and Anita Taylor, chaired by Professor Mike Collier as part of the Drawing Matters programme at 4pm on Saturday 16 November
Closing drinks and mince pies on Saturday 7 December from 3pm to 5pm