Plastic Primitive
Plastic Primitive was the first exhibition of American artist James Gilbert in France, in collaboration with me.
As well as the joint show, “Plastic Primitive” - A Limited Edition Colouring Book was also produced.
For more information please look under Books.
Plastic Primitive marries the language and structures of primitive visual forms with images from contemporary pop culture. Setting in play contradictory elements - objects of symbolic meaning used for ritual and cultural identity versus objects devoid of meaning - the products of consumerist pop society such as plastic toys, games and cartoons.
How has the identity of a daily use object changed? From hand-carved wood to mass produced painted metal and plastic materials, this « evolution » reflects the advancement in innovation and mechanization. But it is also a shift from permanent to temporary or disposable.
Hence, there is an interest in defining a period of our collective history and cultural understanding. Drawing from the vitality and power of primitive tribal art and the banal objects of pop culture, both James Gilbert and I seek to compress these apparently opposing elements into objects of meaning and humour.