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'Works In Words'


Oliver Murdock and Charles Hustwick

White Box Gallery, 2022

 

 

Oliver Murdock and Charles Hustwick are two artists from different generations who both hail from West Yorkshire and are co-incidentally connected through family and friendship associations. Charles now lives in Framlingham, Suffolk (after four decades living and working in London) and Oliver is currently a student on the BA Fine Art course at Goldsmiths College, London.
 
At this moment in time the links between them are also visual : both artists have chosen to deploy the use of text or lettering in their recent work, although to very different purposes. 
 
On hearing of the recent death of the Philippine artist David Medalla at the end of 2020, Charles Hustwick wanted to dedicate the installation exhibited here to the memory of an artist by whom he was much inspired at the outset of his career. The work, therefore, has a participatory element in its overall conception which acts as a way for visitors to reflect on their engagement with the deepening Climate Crisis still facing us as the Covid pandemic hopefully recedes.
 
The work that Oliver Murdock is displaying is part of an ongoing investigation into issues around mental health and well-being. He has identified the phenomenon of  ‘intrusive thoughts’ and seeks ways to transform doubt, anxiety and fear into an art form embodying experience as well as offering a tool for reflection.

In their use of language, text, and lettering both artists think it timely to be spelling things out.

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