West End Exhibition

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

The Review - FEATURE
Published: 5 September 2008

Bouquet (Luxury)

McCarthy rolls out her latest work

NEW WORK(LUXURY)
Gimpel Fils

TO question the concept of luxury and economy is simple enough, but to explore this through the means of a traditional English breakfast presents some interesting ideas.
In her new exhibition, New Work (Luxury), Caroline McCarthy presents a series of works which utilises simple, everyday objects to create a series of pieces which illustrate artificial systems of taste, value and
economic exchange.
McCarthy’s work encompasses symbolic meanings on the dangers of excess and desire found in historical still-life paintings.
At first glance, English Breakfast (Luxury) is a photograph depicting a plate of eggs, bacon, and black pudding. But looking closely, it becomes evident that McCarthy has constructed and shaped the scene using various colours of wet tissue from a luxury brand. Layering the colours, the wet sheets of toilet roll act as a substitute for paint, but still manages to maintain its delicacy and materiality.
Though it is slightly contradictory, given the purpose of toilet roll, it is an astute way of depicting something which is taken for granted. McCarthy manages to reverse the use of a product which is
generally used at
the end of the digestive process.
The photographs of From The Vanitas Range: White (Value) and From The Vanitas Range: Sea Blue
(Luxury), further explore the meaning of still life. The works show two skulls, one white and one blue, each sculpted from four rolls of toilet paper. Slightly reminiscent of Holbein’s The Ambassadors, the skull appears to be symbolic warning against prioritising property and wealth.

* Caroline McCarthy: New Work (Luxury) at Gimpel Fils, 30 Davies Street, W1 until October 4

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment:

» Exhibition Listings
» Exhibition Tickets