Philippe Bradshaw Memorial Exhibition

Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac is pleased to announce an exhibition in memory of the Franco British artist Philippe Bradshaw. The gallery first showed the artist's work in 'Sex and the British', a group show curated by Norman Rosenthal in 2000.This marked the beginning of an extraordinary and special collaboration, during which we dedicated several solo shows to his work.

Philippe Bradshaw was one of the most exciting young artists in the English Contemporary Art Scene. Born in Lincolnshire, he studied at Leicester Polytechnic before entering Goldsmith's College in 1985, where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in 1988.

Philippe Bradshaw' s interdisciplinary work consists of anodized aluminium chains intricately assembled to create a new form of tapestry. The links appear as pixels to form a colourful screen, and several layers of chains blend together to create a stationary or moving image. Video or light projections are often directed onto this coloured backdrop, merrily accentuating selected elements of the work and creating the illusion of continuous movement, bringing the work to life and giving it a new narrative.

Masterpieces of art history are sources of inspiration for Bradshaw's work, crossing 18th century France and appropriating masterpieces like Fragonard's 'Swing', Courbet's 'Origin of the World', Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' before coming face to face with Mondrian and Warhol. Bradshaw challenges the essence of these great icons. Other than the canvases of the « originals », his daring interpretations never remain static. He strips the work of all material constraints and the « traps » of their iconic status. Ironically, by « chaining » them, he renders the image of these icons in a freely swaying, playful way that conveys the work a new lightness.

Prior to his passing, Philippe Bradshaw enjoyed great success, seeing his work enter into important private collections and being shown in museums and institutions such as the Museum der Moderne, Salzburg, the Saarlandmuseum, Saarbrücken, the Contemporary Art Museum of Salamanca., or the Opera Garnier, Paris.

We have worked closely with Philippe Bradshaw's friends, family and assistants to put this exhibition together in the hopes of making a show he would have been proud of. Cheers Philippe! We miss you.