Artist Matt Stokes is known for infiltrating musical movements and creating quirky films works, which collide genres like classical choral and death metal. In this new immersive, sculptural video installation at Matt's Gallery, London, Stokes delves into the anarchic world of East Londoner, Charlie Seber. Parallel to this contemporary art exhibition, you'll find Stokes' work south of the river in an abrasive musical feast at Dilston Grove gallery.
Matt Stokes art
Stokes is best known for his inquiry into music subcultures and how they affect people's lives and identities. During his residency at Grizedale Arts in the Lake District (2002), he became curious about the rave culture that was blossoming in local caves.
Matt's Gallery exhibition 2015
Madman in a Lifeboat is based around the surreal life of 74-year-old, Charlie Seber, and his pretence of being a follower of the movement Truth, Reality, Activism, inspired by time he spent on building sites in the East End during the 1980s. Seber's story becomes increasingly outlandish as the movement gained momentum: using a poster of a fake guru to test theories on colleagues and weaving a story that he came across this enlightened path after he was abandoned at birth during WWII and nurtured by a family of birds.
Matt Stokes met Seber in 2009 and has since been fascinated by his satirical views on modern life. Using their conversations and the artefacts found in Seber's home, Stokes realises some of the aspects of his pseudo-scientific doctrines. Marching songs, evangelical monologues and familiar hymns pepper the film, and you'll also find a reworked draft of a sit-com script by Seber and Stokes, which forms a central part of the show.
Cantata Profana | Dilston Grove
If you're south of the river this spring, Stokes' 2010 work Cantata Profana is also on display in a parallel exhibition at Dilston Grove (27th March - 26th April). The remarkable video and audio installation in this contemporary gallery herald a chorus of sounds made in collaboration with British composer Orlando Gough and six 'grindcore' (thrash metal) vocalists. Corrosive metal music and classical choral traditions collide to create 'anti hymns'.
Matt Stokes continues to push the boundaries with two exhibitions in London this spring.
Matt Stokes art
Stokes is best known for his inquiry into music subcultures and how they affect people's lives and identities. During his residency at Grizedale Arts in the Lake District (2002), he became curious about the rave culture that was blossoming in local caves.
Matt's Gallery exhibition 2015
Madman in a Lifeboat is based around the surreal life of 74-year-old, Charlie Seber, and his pretence of being a follower of the movement Truth, Reality, Activism, inspired by time he spent on building sites in the East End during the 1980s. Seber's story becomes increasingly outlandish as the movement gained momentum: using a poster of a fake guru to test theories on colleagues and weaving a story that he came across this enlightened path after he was abandoned at birth during WWII and nurtured by a family of birds.
Matt Stokes met Seber in 2009 and has since been fascinated by his satirical views on modern life. Using their conversations and the artefacts found in Seber's home, Stokes realises some of the aspects of his pseudo-scientific doctrines. Marching songs, evangelical monologues and familiar hymns pepper the film, and you'll also find a reworked draft of a sit-com script by Seber and Stokes, which forms a central part of the show.
Cantata Profana | Dilston Grove
If you're south of the river this spring, Stokes' 2010 work Cantata Profana is also on display in a parallel exhibition at Dilston Grove (27th March - 26th April). The remarkable video and audio installation in this contemporary gallery herald a chorus of sounds made in collaboration with British composer Orlando Gough and six 'grindcore' (thrash metal) vocalists. Corrosive metal music and classical choral traditions collide to create 'anti hymns'.
Matt Stokes continues to push the boundaries with two exhibitions in London this spring.
| What | Matt Stokes: Madman in a Lifeboat, Matt's Gallery |
| Where | Matt's Gallery, 42-44 Copperfield Road, London, E3 4RR | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Acton Town (underground) |
| When |
01 Apr 15 – 24 May 15, Wed–Sun 12–6pm |
| Price | £Free |
| Website | Click here for more details |
