Art Review: Tim Noble & Sue Webster @ Blain|Southern

Tabish Khan
By Tabish Khan Last edited 137 months ago
Art Review: Tim Noble & Sue Webster @ Blain|Southern
Wild Mood Swings 2009-10. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Wild Mood Swings 2009-10. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Youngman 2012. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Youngman 2012. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Installation shot. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Installation shot. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
The Individual 2012. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
The Individual 2012. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Nasty Pieces of Work 2008-2009. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Nasty Pieces of Work 2008-2009. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Self-Imposed Misery 2010. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern
Self-Imposed Misery 2010. Image Courtesy of the Artist and Blain|Southern

The artistic duo, Noble & Webster, present their first solo show in six years with six assemblages of what appear to be piles of junk. Position a light at the right angle and distance and silhouettes of the artists themselves are revealed.

It's a remarkable feat that will have visitors wondering how it's even possible that a seemingly random assortment of broken chair parts and other studio detritus can form such a perfect representation of the artists right down to their individual hair styles.

The most impressive work is 'self imposed misery' where no flaw can be found in the proportions of the silhouette yet the sculpture that creates this impression is the most chaotic of those on display.

Also of note is 'Nasty Pieces of Work' where Webster's silhouette is accompanied by the outline of a discarded arm hanging from a workbench. The sculpture itself includes blades and sharp objects providing a sense of being in the workshop of a modern day Frankenstein, where spare body parts lie unused.

These works may be seen either as a comment on how discarded objects can prove to be useful or that we are all a melange of individual parts which only prosper in specific circumstances.

The exhibition is remarkable achievement of design and patience that will both amaze viewers and have them wondering what contribution each individual part makes to the silhouettes.

Tim Noble & Sue Webster: Nihilistic Optimistic is on display at Blain|Southern until 24 November. Admission is free.

Last Updated 14 October 2012