Graphic Grey

Wednesday 25 May 2011

“ROOM TOUR.” PRIVATE MEETS PUBLIC AT ORIEL CANFAS GALLERY

June 11th – July 2nd 2011
YouTube teen trend inspires my new paintings.

I've got an upcoming show in Oriel Canfas, Canton, Cardiff, in June 2011. Inspired by the YouTube phenomenon of 'room tours', I've taken images of girls from ‘room tour’ videos posted on the internet and painted them on patterned fabric chosen to match the décor of their rooms.

What began as an innocent trend of girls filming their rooms to show their online friends becomes uncomfortable and potentially sinister when displayed in public.

During the course of the exhibition, which runs from 11th June – 2nd July, I will complete a painting live in the gallery. The painting will be taken from a ‘room tour’ style photo: members of the public are asked to submit their own photos via Twitter @RuthMcLeesArt, with the best being used for the painting.


My emphasis here is on working with various materials that contribute a deeper meaning to the artwork and progress my creative process. This work will grow from engagement with my subjects through which I can explore their identity.

When I first discovered ‘room tour’ videos through an article I read in the paper, I was both fascinated and disturbed. On the one hand it’s always fascinating to get a glimpse into someone’s private life; a bit like looking through lit curtain-less windows at night, and so is the perfect subject matter for me to paint. On the other I find the whole idea of ‘room tours’ deeply uncomfortable because of what the implications of baring yourself, albeit innocently, on the internet can be.

For more information, images and to keep track of the progress of the live painting please log on to http://ruthmcleesart.blogspot.com/ and http://www.ruthmclees.co.uk/.

o The private view will be Friday 10th June 6.30-8.30pm. Please Come!
PRESS WELCOME.

o Press Preview Viewings arranged by appointment.

o Oriel Canfas is open Mon-Fri 1-4.30pm; Sat 10.30-4pm; closed Sunday.
o Oriel Canfas, 44a Glamorgan Street, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1QS;
02920 666455 http://www.orielcanfas.co.uk/.
o Ruth McLees work also on show:
30th April-11th June at Newport Museum and Art Gallery

8th June-2nd July at project/ten, 33 High Street Arcade, Cardiff www.project-ten.co.uk/

8th-10th July at Parallax Art Fair, La Galleria, Royal Opera Arcade, Pall Mall, London http://www.barlowfinedrawings.com/parallaxaf.html