Eleven Spitalfields is a small gallery annexed to an architecture firm and nestled away in the back streets of Shoreditch.
Its latest exhibition features two artists who are very different, yet share a playful sense of humour that shines through in their work.
First up is Jessica Voorsanger who cuts out celebrity figures from magazines and places them either looming over famous London landmarks, or uses their heads to replace those of baseball and ice hockey players on trading cards. It's a swipe at the unwanted penetration of celebrity culture and a comment on how they've replaced the heroes of yesteryear. It's purposefully unsubtle, yet inventive. Placing smaller celebrity heads into the eyes of other celebrities celebrates the vapid nature of celebrity worship.
Second, we have Bob and Roberta Smith. His work (for, despite the name, this is just one artist) is even lighter in tone than Voorsanger's. He sets the scene by recalling a conversation with a banker who thought his work was too complex. Smith's immediate reaction was of great concern over the banking crisis. The other half of his work is a campaign to bring trams back to the East End — a scheme that could be serious but is probably not.
This is a small exhibition but both artists will make you smile and it's hard not to get swept up in their humour.
London's Calling is on at Eleven Spitalfields Gallery, 11 Princelet Street, E1 6QH until 26 October. Entrance is free.
