Warbling - at last it came into focus
It originated in 2017 and frequently includes the work of many artists that I’m familiar with, but I only recently learned about the art collective called Warbling. That’s partly due to the short-run nature of their nomadic shows, and partly due to the fact that it’s not the kind of collective that goes out of it’s way to shout about itself. In their own words, “Warbling is an artist-run curatorial project with a focus on sharing and exhibiting quiet artworks from artists who work in distinctively soft or in a more subtle way.”
Their most recent show took over 19 Greek Street, a venue for hire with an easy to miss, unassuming entry located in the middle of bustling Soho. I’d never been before and didn’t know how much art to expect in the exhibition, but like the Thursday matinee queue at nearby Prince Edward Theatre the show just kept growing and going as I slowly worked my way upwards through all five floors of the whitewashed Victorian townhouse.
Aside from a few large works that left me wondering how they fit through the tight and narrow staircase, each of the rooms were sparsely filled with a handful of modest sized pieces, all given space to breathe and be. A few colourful works “popped” against the completely white walls, floors and ceilings but there wasn’t much that screamed for attention from across a room. My focus was mostly drawn to the things that visually fit with the environment.
I assumed Charlotte Brown’s shelf of mini milk jugs might have been a collection of unpainted porcelain, until a light breath revealed them to be cast latex that wiggled and jiggled like a kids jelly dessert. Taku Tagami’s meticulously organised driftwood had me googling hieroglyphics, because they look like framed manifestos from a long forgotten society. Those pieces, and indeed most of the sculptural items, drew my eyes and piqued my curiosity thanks to their unusual choice and use of materials. I spent time closely examining them with interest, although I question how many of the works in the show would have occupied so much of my time in another setting.
Many of the rooms had a cohesive, unified feel and I applaud the effective hang and carefully considered curation from founder Robyn Graham. The alcove with Joe Gamble’s sagebrush paintings and Rhian Harris-Mussi’s miniature landscapes could have been a city planning exhibition about re-wilding. And although Wendy McLean’s two colourful abstracts didn’t really hold my attention, when placed next to Nicola Tassie’s ceramic ‘Doodle’ the three pieces engaged me in a colourfully compelling dialogue.
I had the pleasure of exploring this show by myself and the quiet works in a quiet environment offered a calming, soothing experience. Browsing the show was like perusing a table full of heirlooms in an antique jewellery store. Some might sit for ages before someone comes along and decides they love it enough to wear it out the door. I got the sense that these works, and these artists, are similarly content to wait for the right eyes to appreciate them.
The show featured the following artists:
Ludovica Anversa — @luvinvrs
Kate Atkin — @atkin.kate
Lise Bouissiere — @lisebouissier
Charlotte Brown — @cie_brown
Daria Chernyshova — @intuitive.practice
Lotti V Closs — @lotti_v_closs
Lara Davies — @larad123
Polina Filippova — @polinaflpova
Jake Fisk — @fake.jisk
Joe Gamble — @joeegamble
Rhian Harris-Mussi — @rhianharrismussi
Nicky Hodge — @nickyhodge4
Oliver Hoffmeister — @oliverhoffmeisterart
Qinyang Li — @qinyang40
Wendy McLean — @wendy_mcLean_
Aruna Radha — @tocatchthemorninglight
Taku Tagami — @taku_tagami
Nicola Tassie — @nicolatassieceramics
Annie Trevorah — @annietrevorahsculptor
Barbara Tunkowitsch — @barbaratunkowitsch
Gráinne Williams — @__gronya
Jacob Wolff — @jacobwolffstudio
Plan your visit
‘At last it came into focus’ ran from 20-25 August 2024.
Visit 19greekstreet.co.uk for more info about the venue.
Visit warbling.co.uk and follow @warblingcollective on Instagram for more info about the artist collective.
Visit robyngraham.co.uk and follow @robyn.graham on Instagram for more info about the artist/curator/founder.
PLUS…
Check the What’s On page so you don’t miss any other great shows closing soon.
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