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Good enough to eat, but leaves a bad taste in the mouth: The art of Espira

“Espira and Kris Wlodarski, two of London’s most visually provocative artists come together to present new paintings in their upcoming ‘New Skin for the Old Ceremony’ exhibition, in collaboration with cutting edge East-end arts space the Resistance Gallery.”

The London show featuring the work of these two artists opened at the Resistance Gallery this Thursday, with a private view featuring entertainment from the highly engaging cabaret performer Frank Sanazi, with live DJ-ing from David TG, of Torture Garden fame.

Espira’s work is dark, surreal and often sexually charged. Inspired by “the creative beauty that humans are capable of and their destructive ignorance, in equal measure”, his paintings touch upon themes of sexuality and contemporary culture, with recurring references to war. Many of his paintings depict high fashion and decadent costume incongruously alongside raw meat and fetishism.

Raised a strict member of the Mormon Church, Espira left the faith and became a self taught artist. He describes how his upbringing has had a subconscious influence on the work he creates, whilst insisting “it is by no means my only influence. I don’t overtly use religious imagery, but it does sneak in there. The symbolism, ritual and ceremony of a powerful religion have made me receptive to their modern day equivalents.”

With his online portfolio divided into two sections, ‘digital’ and ‘paintings’, Espira’s work ranges from clean and graphic; looking not out of place in any contemporary illustration publication, to a more traditional and textured aesthetic with his large scale canvases, currently hanging in a London Gallery.

EspiraMy main motivation was the search to develop my own individual style. I like the sharp, graphic look achieved by the computer but felt restricted by the programs slight sense of detachment. On the other hand I’ve always admired raw physical nature of traditional painting, but felt stylistically it offered nothing new. A marriage of the two seemed the best way forward to create something fresh.

‘New Skin for the Old Ceremony’ runs only till the 23rd. For future exhibitions and events, please check Espira’s website.

Location:
Resistance Gallery,
265 Poyser Street,
Bethnal Green,
London
E2 9RF

http://www.resistancegallery.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/resistancegallery

Espira:
For details of further exhibitions-
http://www.espira.co.uk

Kris Wlodarski:
http://www.wlodarski.art.pl/