Fired Up | Exhibition Review

by Caisa Ederyd

Gazelli Art House will be presenting five exhibitions over the coming 11 months.

Each is based around the elements of fire, earth, water, air and ether with Fired Up at The Dairy being the first exhibition in the series.

Five artists with different backgrounds, using a wide range of techniques and mediums are freely interpreting the concept of fire in various ways and shapes.

Farid Rasulov’s work, oil paintings called ‘Chicken 1,’ ‘Chicken 2,’ ‘Chicken 3’ and ‘Eggs’ are perhaps visually most far away from the theme.

They display, as the names suggest, three skinned and headless chickens and cracked eggs.

Rasulov adds strong colours with realistic and intense detail to highlight the beauty in some absurd everyday objects before they are cooked, or perhaps in this case, heated with fire.

System-based patterns

The other artists in the exhibition seem to be playing with shapes that draw more obvious attention to the theme.

David Jones’ system-based patterns are presenting traditional flames, in comparison to some of the other work, surrounded by either strong and warm colours or detailed character.

Rory McCartney’s work is similar to that of Jones’, however McCartney is experimenting with fire from a space-like perspective.

Joe Clark’s work of fire is presented in an installation that plays with the motion of flames, as well as a poster piece in dark colours with aluminium.

Lauren Cotton’s Composition N.7 is an experiment with space and creates an optical illusion using strong colours.

Fired Up is a varied collection of work and shows a complex nature of a rather simple concept to provide the viewers with an interesting exhibition in a large space.

Although some of the work is easy on the eye, such as Jones’ and MCartney’s, Cotton, Rasulov and Clark are all more apparent experimenters of the theme.

Rasuolov’s 3D effect of his eggshells is disappointing because of the poor lightning in the gallery.

Fired Up is a lovely exhibition whether you are an art-dealer or just looking for something to lean your thoughts on, and shows that there is so much more to fire than just heat and flames.

To see Fired Up visit The Dairy at 7 Wakefield Street, London, WC1N 1PG

Running until February 25

Fired Up: 4 out of 5