"Exploring Our Obsession with Orality: London's exhibition delves into the fascination from Freudian psychology to fables"
The Rose Easton gallery in east London is currently hosting the intriguing group show, "Yay, to Have a Mouth!". This exhibition delves into the complexity of the mouth, focusing on its role in infant psychological development, language acquisition, and oral histories. The show, a collaboration with Ginny on Frederick, runs until 29th March 2025.
The exhibition was inspired by a conversation between gallery owner Rose Easton and artist Michael Ho about language and oral histories. The diverse lineup of artists includes Gabriella Boyd, Sylvie Fleury, Michael Ho, Phillip Gabriel, Sang Woo Kim, R.I.P. Germain, Hannah Murray, I.W. Payne, Mike Silva, and Barbara Wesołowska, among others.
Hannah Murray's "Miss Golden" is a standout piece, depicting a woman elegantly clutching a cigarette, symbolizing oral addiction. Another noteworthy artwork is Maggi Hambling's "Prelude" (2000), which portrays a series of grinning teeth melting into surrounding flesh.
Jenkin van Zyl and Rebecca Ackroyd's works in the show teeter between body horror and unbridled ecstasy. Three of Jenkin van Zyl's cake heads are displayed in fridges, falling on the grotesque spectrum. A new color pencil drawing by Jenkin van Zyl is more in a Ren & Stimpy-esque mode, bridging the gap between humor and grotesque.
Rose Easton and Powell share a common style of campness in their work. Freddie Powell, founder of Ginny on Frederick, comments on the shared light touch and humor in this collaboration with Rose Easton. He also praises the mix of artists in the show.
The exhibition presents various approaches to oral history and storytelling, with some pieces subtly referring to the mouth without directly showing it. For more precise information on participating artists, one might need to consult the gallery announcements or exhibition catalog directly.
[1] Source: Rose Easton Gallery and Ginny on Frederick websites.
[1] The exhibition, "Yay, to Have a Mouth!", at the Rose Easton gallery in east London, explores oral histories and their impact on language acquisition. [2] Hannah Murray's installation, "Miss Golden", serves as a commentary on oral addiction, adding a home-and-garden twist with its depiction of a woman smoking a cigarette.
