HEAD TO HEAD WITH 18TH CENTURY MASTER JOSEPH WRIGHT
At last Emma's duel dual show with world famous 18th century master artist Joseph Wright of Derby draws near. See behind the scenes here!
Derby City Museum and Art Gallery are hosting this very special event which will see the work of these two artists painting the real people of the industrial city more than two centuries apart, with a special performance on the opening night by dance team Trinity Warriors.
With the curators at the Museum, Emma has had the opportunity to delve into the Museum's archives for material for the show which will be presented mixed in with her own successful series of paintings, Concilium Plebis which promises to be a unique experience.
July 3rd - September 12th 2010
Opening night July 2nd 2010 5-7pm
And to coincide with this special event, ARRESTED MOTION and HI FRUCTOSE are running articles full of brand new photos of Emma in the studio with her disreputably filthy palette.
To add to the festivities two more artists, the lovely Ryan Gordon and Sally Jane Thompson have created cute new portraits of the portrait painter herself for our delectation. Enjoy!
By Ryan Gordon
By Sally Jane Thompson
NEW ESSAY ON THE WORK OF EMMA TOOTH
Trinity Taylor, author of a new essay on Emma and her work has agreed to share her writing with us here. Enjoy!
INTERROGATING CONTEXT: EMMA TOOTH
I previously wrote about 17th Century Italian Baroque painter Artemisia, daughter of Orazio Gentileschi who trained her to paint in Caravaggio’s style. Orazio was of the first generation after Caravaggio’s death to continue what he had started.
Caravaggio played a part in the Counter-Reformation Church’s search for religious art that fought against Protestant Mannerism; he painted with a rebellious naturalism and his dramatic use of tenebrism* helped to see the end of Mannerism, which had dominated European art for almost a century.
Today, few contemporary artists are keeping classical high art in the spotlight; one of them is Emma Tooth who like Caravaggio and Artemisia, uses the canvas to rebel.
Reluctant to reveal when she was born, artist Emma Tooth from Cambridge is a hyperrealist figurative and portrait painter living and working in Duffield, Derbyshire. “If I don’t tell anyone too many mundane details now, in 30 years no one will have a clue where I came from – or when - and I remain in complete control of my person and persona.”
This attitude to the mundane only adds to her mystery and is very much reflected in her work. We know Emma graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Fine Art, but her skill and style is completely self-taught. She is as skilled as a costume designer and maker as she is a painter, and her unique Victorian style of dress mixed with her jet black hair and Gothic make-up turns heads where ever she goes - especially wearing a favourite 4ft wide pannier dress. “I am a very visual person and art and decoration in all its forms are absolutely essential to me. I can’t bear the mundane, the trivial, the tawdry – I need exaggerated theatrical beauty in all aspects of my life”.
Emma is not pretentious, her persona is not for show, this is her life and she is married to film-maker Owen Tooth who completely shares her style and love of Victorian and Gothic aesthetics. She absolutely knows who she is and her art is a testament to her confidence, which was very much challenged by academics throughout her studies.
I became more intrigued by this artist while reading one of her interviews where I came across a dignified and passionate defensive statement of classical painting which struck a chord with how I feel about my own work. She said: “We are swamped with throwaway commercial photographic images, almost as quick to create as discard. A traditional oil painting in its impressive gold frame speaks of hundreds of hours of painstaking study, decades of training and lends a dignity and historical reference, perhaps reverence, to the character portrayed.”
Emma’s most recent aptly and ironically titled exhibition Concilium Plebis** is absolutely filled with Caravaggio-references, and her Renaissance chiaroscuro effect is alien amongst contemporary art other than in black and white photography, but her success shows that this style still has a place today.
The style and subject matter explored in this series of her work has built a bridge over the divide between the ‘real world’ and the exclusive, seemingly elitist world of contemporary art. Emma first opened Concilium Plebis in full at Sandford Goudie Gallery, South Shields in January 2009 with 24 oil paintings and in addition shared the evening with a live Break Intervention by Bad Taste Cru*** who performed their own interpretation of Emma’s work. Previously and since Emma has shown selections of the series at various galleries across the UK including the Liverpool Biennial International Artists show at NOVAS Contemporary Urban Centre in late 2008 and London’s Lazarides Gallery, who now represent her.
From July 3rd this year running until September 5th Emma will be pitting herself with a selection of her works from Concilium Plebis against 18th Century Master Joseph Wright of Derby at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery in a very special exhibition. She is also She is also due to show the complete collection at the Lazarides Gallery this autumn, dates are to be confirmed.
With Concilium Plebis Emma has elevated the ‘ASBO generation’ to a classical Renaissance-like status just as Caravaggio and his contemporaries did themselves four centuries ago when they used street children, prostitutes and ordinary people of their time to play the parts of Angels, Saints, the Virgin Mary and Jesus and other religious figures in their paintings and very often in the case of Caravaggio, painting them as they were, with dirty legs and dirty toenails. Ironically with his drinking, brawling and ultimately killing another man in a fight, Caravaggio was certainly a candidate for an ASBO at the very least in his day.
Emma states in an interview for The Journal Culture Club with Barbara Hodgson in 2009 that; “I have engaged with an audience who would probably otherwise never have their portraits painted or even set foot in a gallery, which to a hoodie, may be as intimidating as he himself might be to an elderly shopper.”
With Concilium Plebis #1 the artist has recreated a very classical religious iconic image of the ‘Madonna and Child’ which has been created in many variations throughout the centuries by numerous artists, with one pretty much looking like another, but Emma has put a contemporary spin on her version with this young, probably teenage, ‘chav’ (characterized by the hooded top and gold-hooped earrings) with her young baby. She gazes lovingly upon her child as he plays with her gold necklace in this purposely set up scene.
The rich deep red cloth hanging in the background is reminiscent of the Madonna and Child paintings by Giovanni Bellini (1485-90) and Andrea Previtali (c.1515). In nearly all versions of this image the three colours; red, white and blue are predominant, with the Virgin Mary or Madonna often painted in a habit-like attire of blue and white with a red dress underneath. Most of the paintings in this series are framed in old-worldly gilded gold adding to a feel of Renaissance revisited.
Emma felt that the type of people she wanted to paint have never been positively presented, mostly captured by CCTV, highlighted in police or news reports of vandalism and violence, or in the case of young single mothers who are publicly blamed for the state of society, she wanted to address this.
In Concilium Plebis #10, three young men gather to see a tattoo on their friend’s stomach, which reads ‘Before A Fall Comes Pride’. Painted with Caravaggio's The Incredulity of Saint Thomas (Doubting Thomas) in mind, where Thomas pokes his finger into an opening in Christ’s side to see if he really had been resurrected, the figurative composition of that painting has been said to ‘carefully unite the four heads in the quest for truth’.
What truth are the figures looking for in Emma’s contemporary version? I suggest that this is an element of readdressing preconceptions of what we see when we encounter a ‘chav’ or ‘hoodie’ and make a natural assumption that they are uneducated and have no sensibility.
On April 8th 2010 Emma Tooth gave me an interview. I wanted to find out how she feels about certain aspects of her work because I feel I can relate to her artistically with my own work. Here follows a section of that interview:
Trinity: How did your education shape your style and technique?
Emma: Not much at all really I've always felt I had to fight to go in the direction I wanted, certainly by the time I did my degree it was a total uphill struggle. Fancy traditional oil painting being the most rebellious thing you can do!
Trinity: Have you found opposition to and critique of your chiaroscuro style of painting in light of contemporary art or has it been welcomed?
Emma: Contrary to the tough critiques I received in university, out in the real art world my style of painting has really been welcomed. Immediately after university I had a solo show in London and it's gone from strength to strength, and now I'm represented by Lazarides Gallery, who also represent Banksy.
Trinity: What has it meant to you as an artist being able to reach other social classes than your own through your work?
Emma: It's been really interesting actually and there have been lots of interesting experiences. On approaching potential models in the street they have assumed I was trying to start a fight with them, but seeing how they calmed down and seeing their enthusiasm for my work when I showed them photographs; they actually really appreciate the work and the style, they can relate to it easily. Those images from Renaissance art are still in the public consciousness and people get what I am doing and enjoy it. It's been very rewarding – I know that sounds hammy - but I am more flattered by a good reaction from ‘ordinary people’ (if I can use such a hackneyed phrase) than from people who have been baptised into the art world because I think people from the latter community are actually so used to being the victims of the Emperor's New Clothes that they'll fall for anything.
When the break-dancers I painted saw their portraits they were so positive and excited and their comment that my work was "Disgustin’" (i.e. very good) meant a lot to me. '
Emma Tooth’s career is one that I will follow and I hope she gains further success in her plight to readdress the public image of misrepresented social groups. Representing the misunderstood and finding a voice for those who cannot speak is at the core of my work.
* Tenebrism is an exaggerated or extreme form of chiaroscuro.
** Concilium Plebis is Latin meaning council of the ordinary people. Concilium Plebis was the principal assembly of the ancient Roman Republic functioning as a legislative organization where commoners could pass laws, elect magistrates and try judicial cases.
*** Bad Taste Cru - an Irish B-Boy team (break dancing group) now based at Dance City in Newcastle. Some B-Boys have been subjects in Emma’s paintings and on the opening night this group performed a specially created routine successfully bringing together high-art and ‘low-brow’ street dance.
LAZARIDES GALLERY WELCOMES EMMA TOOTH!
It's official! Emma Tooth is now represented by Lazarides Gallery, London, aka Lazinc.
Lazarides are the well known primary source for works by cult artists such as Banksy, Jamie Hewlett, and Anthony Micallef and many others, so Emma is in very good company indeed.
This autumn (dates to be announced) Lazinc will be launching Emma's biggest solo event yet! Watch this space - or better yet - sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know the show dates and availability of special limited edition artworks!
www.lazinc.com
NEW WORK COMMISSIONED FOR BRAND NEW LIBRARIES
The two new paintings commissioned for the LiRA Project are complete. Funded by The Big Lottery Grant, Two new libraries being built in Chellaston and Mackworth, Derbyshire in 2010 will boast their own large-scale oil paintings. Emma met with members of the public who were likely to be using the new libraries and used them as her models. The paintings needed to show that the library welcomed people of all ages and that a number of media were available there - not just books. Additionally, Emma wanted to get across the idea of inter-generational learning and information being passed between people.
news 2009>
GRIFTERS AT LAZARIDES We hope to see you there!
THE ART LOUNGE
A small selection of paintings by Emma Tooth are now on display at The Art Lounge, the largest commercial gallery for contemporary art in the City of Birmingham, inside the prestigious Mailbox centre.
The ArtLounge, 28-30 Wharfside Street, The Mailbox, Birmingham, B1 1RD.
EMMA RETURNS TO LONDON
From December 3rd 2009, selections from the series Concilium Plebis will form part of a group show at London's Lazarides Gallery in Rathbone Place. This is Emma's first gallery show in London since 2004 and the gallery are also working on creating limited edition prints of the paintings - so watch this space for more information coming soon!
Lazarides says "Our brand spanking new flagship on Rathbone Place in Fitzrovia houses the solo shows and has a private viewing spaces for new works as they appear throughout the year. The site was formerly a drinking den and brothel and as such goes hand in had with the gallery on Greek Street now called Shop at Lazarides, the site of a former dealer in sadomasochistic paraphernalia."
MYTH AND HISTORY AT THE BRISTOL GALLERY
"Myth and History", the inaugural exhibition of the brand-new Bristol Gallery is now under way. Emma Tooth is exhibiting new work alongside several artists, including the wonderful Patrick Haines and Phil Sayers.
The show is curated by art historian, Dr. Dorothy Rowe and is situated in the prestigious new Harbourside Development in Bristol. This will be followed by Emma's solo show there in the spring of 2010.
Also, Emma hs been invited to participate in the renowned Arte Regionale V triennial at the Kunsthalle Dominikanerkirche, Osnabrück, Germany. 7th August - 3rd October 2010. More information to follow... we hope!
EXHIBITION AT THE BISCUIT FACTORY
Emma Tooth's solo exhibition at the Biscuit Factory opened last night with a fabulous soiree attended by around 600 people. Emma was there in her sparkling new red dress and enjoyed meeting some lovely people - including some artists who would like to paint her portrait!
The show runs 22nd october (possibly longer if everything hasn't been sold!) and it's an excellent last opportunity to see some of the Concilium Plebis series before they go off to their new homes with their buyers never to be seen again! However, the rest of the series will continue to tour (see above for dates) the UK and beyond!
EMMA TAKES OVER THE BBC BIGSCREEN!
Well, a bit. The documentary film about Emma and her work, 'Extraordinary Portraits of Ordinary People' by Toothpix. Ltd, will be screened regularly on the BBC Bigscreen in the centre of Derby for the next few weeks starting Saturday 8th August. The showing times are; Saturdays 12pm, Wednesdays 6pm and Fridays 12.30pm.
There is also a new short piece on the BBC website about Emma and her work which begins "Emma is a woman who knows her own mind - and she made it up early". Read More!
Emma is working at top speed this month preparing new paintings at short notice for the inaugural exhibition of The Bristol Gallery running from september 17th and for her solo show at The Biscuit Factory's Cube space running from september 4th.
SUMMER EXHIBITIONS
Emma Tooth is teaming up with the international Bohemia Galleries and her work will be introduced at 2 summer shows running concurrently at Bohemia's Beverley and York galleries 9th July - 31st August 2009.
Bohemia Galleries One
7 Gillygate,
York,
East Yorkshire,
YO31 7EA, Click for Map Location
Tel. 01904 466488
Bohemia Galleries Two
2 Sow-Hill Road,
Beverley,
East Yorkshire,
HU17 8BG,
Click for Map Location Tel. 01482 881882
Created by the amazing film production company, Toothpix Ltd and with music from David Beard it is a sumptuous affair with new footage of the paintings actually being created and amazing breakdance performances from B-boy champions, Bad Taste Cru as well as detailed interviews with Emma about her work. Watch it now!
(above:) A still from the film... not your average documentary then...
FIRST EXHIBITION IN GERMANY
Emma's work will be touring several venues in Osnabruck, Germany during the whole of May as part of the unique OPS (One Picture Show) exhibitions.
Emma will have 4 small paintings (painted specially for the exhibition) in 4 OPS display cases: one in Stadtgallerie Osnabrück (Osnabrück City Gallery), two in Stadtbibliothek Osnabrück (the exhibition rooms at Osnabrück main Library) and one in Lagerhalle Osnabrück (an arts venue). The pictures will be in each case for one week and then moved around.
note: A lot of new pictures and reviews have been added to the scrapbook section...
CONCILIUM PLEBIS OPENS AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE
It was an absolutely electric night with many guests and surprises.
Best of all, a Break Intervention by Bad Taste Cru, the award-winning
Irish BBoy team who amazed the audience with their almost superhuman abilities!
Around 150 people attended and several thousand are expected to visit the exhibition!
Photographer Craig Leng took some amazing photographs and we are pleased to say that the entire night is the subject of a documentary film which captures the magic
of the show and it will be appearing here soon!
Happy New Year! Lots going on in 2009 starting with this:
Emma's big exhibition of Concilium Plebis at The Sandford Goudie Gallery is opening on the January 9th (details here) with a "Break Intervention" by Irish BBoys Bad Taste Cru who will be responding to the paintings on the opening night through the medium of Breakdance!
Emma is on the cover of this month's issue of
Chronicles Magazine, looking rather mysterious!
news 2008>
PUBLIC COMMISSION
Emma has been selected to create several prestigious new paintings for new libraries being built in Derbyshire funded by a Big Lottery Grant. The libraries are opening in 2009 in Allenton, Chellaston and Mackworth (Emma's paintings will appear in the latter 2).
NEWSNIGHT REVIEW
Emma's paintings were selected to feature in a special Liverpool edition of the BBC's Newsnight Review programme which aired on 03/10/08.
Emma Tooth is exhibiting the Concilium Plebis series as part of the Liverpool International Artists Show at Novas CUC - one of the UK's most exciting new gallery spaces and cultural centres.
4 PAGE INTERVIEW WITH EMMA IN SEPTEMBERS ISSUE OF THE DERBYSHIRE MAGAZINE!
Buy it now! (or at least sneak a peek in your nearest Derbyshire newsagents - which may be not that near if you're based in, say, California...) It's a good read though - Emma is referred to as "The Powerful Portraitist You Can't Ignore", and the words "Awesome Talent" are also used! Head over to the scrapbook to read more!
EMMA TOOTH vs. JOSEPH WRIGHT OF DERBY
In the summer of 2010, Derby City Museum And Art Gallery will be hosting a very special event. Emma Tooth and Joseph Wright of Derby will be going head to head in a dual exhibition highlighting the connection between a contemporary Derby-based portrait painter and an 18th century Master.
This is in the very early planning stages of course, and we probably shouldn't be telling you, but the gist is that Emma's Concilium Plebis series will be shown alongside Wright's paintings and drawings of ordinary people such as his Tramp, Blacksmith and Earthstopper - it really is too big and too exciting to keep quiet!
EMMA IN BBOY CREW SHOCK
Here's a photo you no doubt never expected to see - Emma striking a pose or two with Derbys BBOY champions, Trinity Warriors. She met the crew for a photoshoot the day after they were chosen to represent the UK with their break-dancing skillz! Well done guys!
They will be appearing in future Concilium Plebis paintings - watch this space...
