Rob Lowe at Kemistry Gallery

Rob Lowe’s latest exhibition opened on the 15^th June 2012 at Kemistry Gallery, London, and runs until the 30^th. The exhibit showcases Lowe’s talent of taking something simple and turning it into a masterpiece. 

The small venue makes it tough to navigate, but it is worth the squeeze. After viewing the exhibition, make sure you take a second look at each piece.  The simple nature of the work will make you appreciate the complexity of each design. 

British artist Lowe, also known as Supermundane, used some of his previous work to create new images.  He took tiny bits of previous designs and magnified and simplified them. 

All of the art pieces derive from line work.  Lowe has all the lines flow one way while making them all connect in the end.  Not one line sits apart which gives the image depth.  He added colour to create the notion of movement. 

The entire exhibit gives off an optical illusion which Lowe intended on doing.  According to him, he wanted to provide optical effects. One piece which demonstrates this is a wall sized image that takes the same colours, black lines and same shaped tile.  The only change throughout the wall is the tile is merely rotated.  It is a magnificent piece and provides an optical illusion.  Some were seeing black dots in between the white spaces; this abstract piece will remind you of an optical illusion you may have seen in introductory psychology books.

Another refreshing aspect about the exhibition was the positive nature of all the designs.  There is nothing negative about the show.  Often times, art can be associated with dark perspectives, but Lowe wanted the exact opposite.  He said everything about the designs are purely optimistic.

There was a positive flow among the designs into the crowd of people.  Lowe referenced the philosophy Taoism in regards of his work.  Everything about his work connects together and comes full circle.  Like in the philosophy Taoism, everything in the world is interconnected.  Lowe also pointed out that all of his work is pointless without people to view it.  Lowe’s new exhibition is a reinvigorating way to approach his designs. 

The highlight of the exhibit is a large maze-like design completed by black and blue electrical tape.  Lowe improvised the design and completed it in just two days. 

Lowe will make you appreciate all the different forms of pieces in the exhibition.  Whether it is a wall sized tile pattern, or work that he completed back in 2009, there is never a dull moment throughout the art exhibition.

Clifton Graves