“British Invasion”
February 10th – March 16th, 2024Featuring: Theo Bardsley, Natalie Savage, Jonjo Elliot, David Horgan, Grace Tobin, Cathy Tabbakh and Jacob Harris (Atlantic Drift).
There have been quite a few reincarnations of the original British Invasion, the cultural phenomenon of the mid-1960s, when rock and pop music (as well as other cultural aspects) from the United Kingdom became popular in the United States. It is fair to say that its influence on pop culture has never ceased to exist. A few decades later, the late 1980s saw the “Young British Artists” movement take the artworld by storm. Artists involved, such as Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas, became household names. However, the YBA movement was not as forthcoming in its origins and did not necessarily scream: “We are from the UK!” Whereas today, it seems that the young British artists are expressing themselves more organically with influences from their own roots. In addition, presently, with the advancement of global media and all things readily available at our fingertips, it is most difficult to create a cultural explosion. However, that is what makes the UK art sphere so important right now. It is a moment where all things seem to be in the pocket of what it means to be a British artist.
Musicians have a saying about drummers and bass players being “in the pocket”. It is given as a compliment because it means that they are so skilled and smooth that the rhythm they create seems as if it has always been there. We believe this is happening currently in the UK art scene. There is something nostalgic in its contemporary work, something tangible and, most importantly, something British. For us, this group of artists is doing just that. This exhibit, British Invasion, features Theo Bardsley, Natalie Savage, Jonjo Elliot, David Horgan, Grace Tobin, Cathy Tabbakh, and Jacob Haris.
The artists we chose for this exhibit are each a great example of the talent that is there. It seems every time we are scrolling on a media site we are stopped by yet another amazing UK artist.
CLICK HERE ︎ TO PREVIEW THE COLLECTION!
Theo Bardsley
Theo Bardsley is a young rising figurative painter from London. He paints large scale portraiture, taking inspiration from his own daily life, and of those around him. Theo’s work merges the everyday with the historical, bridging the gap between past and present. Having studied the History of Art at the University of Manchester, Theo draws from a plethora of influences from the art historical canon. Theo’s layering approach to the canvas allows textures to build up, slowly a narrative comes to life, sometimes simple compositions of encounters at the pub, tied in with nods to historical events and figures. In turn the viewer can associate the paintings with a certain point in their own life, and by doing so Theo hopes transport them back to that moment.
CLICK HERE ︎ TO READ THEO’S INTERVIEW!
Natalie Savage
Natalie Savage is a contemporary artist based in Hackney, working predominantly still life to elevate and celebrate the everyday items that form the bedrock of our lives.
Taking objects that can be found on kitchen counters, in markets or on coffee tables and placing them centre stage, her work is inspired by good food, friends and the tables around which we enjoy these things. Filled with bold colour and playfulness, her unmistakable style brings a sense of happiness and fun wherever her paintings appear.
David Horgan
David is a self taught, London based painter interested in story telling and social commentary. David conveys narratives drawn from his own personal experience and every day encounters intermingled with popular culture and iconography. These predominantly figurative scenes are expressed through a fast paced, raw and emotive style all suffused with a healthy dose of humour.
Grace Tobin
Born (1993) in London, Grace Tobin grew up in New York City before earning her BA in Visual Arts with Honours in 2016 from Oberlin College. Although primarily working with paint, Grace also experiments with printmaking and mixed media. She has exhibited work in both the US and the UK. Grace is currently completing her MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art in London.
CLICK HERE ︎ TO READ GRACE’S INTERVIEW!
Cathy Tabbakh
Cathy Tabbakh is a French painter of Armenian descent working and living in the UK. She paints with a passion for the mesmerising power of colour. She has exhibited in various galleries in Europe, UK, USA and Australia and recently in Seoul, Korea. She holds degrees in Fashion Textile, Design and Fine Art (2011) and Art History and Archaeology (2017) both in Lyon. Tabbakh’s work can be found in private collections worldwide and since 2021 as part of the Soho House Collection displayed in 3 houses, with 2 paintings commissioned an displayed in Soho House Paris (2021), a commissioned floral ceramic sculpture displayed in Brighton Beach House (2022) and a diptych in High Road London in Chiswick (2023).
CLICK HERE ︎ TO READ CATHY’S INTERVIEW!
Jonjo Elliot
Jonjo Elliott works from a studio next to his house in Leicestershire and graduated with a BA in fine art from De Montfort University. His vividly coloured paintings convey feelings of happiness and positivity inspired by his travels and memories. His art sits in private collections around the globe and has been featured in major Netflix shows. His international exhibitions have included room sized artworks which can be walked into and rideable skateparks built inside the gallery.
Jacob Harris (Atlantic Drift)
In our beloved skateboarding world, the UK scene has been pushing hard since the early 90s. Some of their own skate brands have become global with massive followings that even rivals NYC’s renowned brand Supreme. Today, one filmmaker has stood out from the rest. Jacob Harris has been making skate videos for the past 15 years. Most recently his series for Thrasher Magazine “Atlantic Drift” has become a fan favorite. His video style is immediately recognizable and consistent in form. In his early days it was about showcasing his talented friends, but since, it has become a cultural depiction that transcends the art form of skateboarding. His videos without sounding daft are one of the most genuine UK things out there today. We are super proud to be exhibiting his videos in this “British Invasion” exhibition.
