Carnival of Colour at Imitate Modern

Carnival of Colour takes place at Imitate Modern, which prides itself on being “an urban contemporary gallery with a difference”. Set in the prestigious W1 area, Imitate Modern displays exhibitions of established and renowned artists, alongside new and emerging talent; focusing on multiple artistic disciplines including photography, street art and sculpture. Carnival of Colour is exactly what it says on the tin – a bright celebratory festival of colour showcasing the works of numerous diverse artists, utilising different creative techniques to interpret this theme. Including Paul Oz, Luke Waring and Rosie Emerson who have previously featured at Imitate Modern, alongside Ben Allen, Raymond Salvatore Harmon, URNY and See One – all newcomers to the gallery but no less prioritised within this exhibition. 

Emerson’s work stands out beautifully: it’s delicate and profound with an ethereal aesthetic, while still demonstrating a contemporary edge through the use of metallic mediums. Edition 3 is a fantastic highlight. Allen’s work is a real juxtaposition to this, with rebellious and vibrant pop art featuring skulls set against a floral backdrop. It’s psychedelic and not for the faint-hearted, traditional art fan. Salvatore Harmon’s The Symbol of Soul Governing Man showcases his use of unique creative techniques in abstract pieces that focus heavily on line and texture. It’s a style that always risks being overused but these pieces are delicate enough to still captivate. Oz’s portrait of Bob Marley is a lovingly crafted piece of work, each brush stroke evident on his textured oil paint base. It’s difficult not to notice Waring’s pop art, brash culture clashes featuring Disney’s Snow White in a rather compromising position, emblazoned with Playboy logos. It’s certainly attention grabbing, and speaks volumes about modern consumerism and branding, though feels slightly out of sync with its surroundings – not to discredit the artist at hand.

Carnival of Colour is a charming and curious exhibition; the introduction to this collective tied together thematically is energetic, varied and exciting. Needless to say Carnival of Colour is mainly for fans of modern art, however the fusion of multiple styles and eclectic techniques means it has a broader appeal, and will easily attract a wide spectrum of art lovers looking for an autumnal art fix.

Donna Mackay

Carnival of Colour is at Imitate Modern from 23^rd August until 20^th September 2014. For further information visit their website here.