A Gallery presents "Famous Doubles" at Wanted Gallery sponsored by CB Equity
Gilbert and George, the Mighty Boosh and the White Stripes are famous double acts in Famous Doubles, a new show of paintings by Paul Harvey in October in Notting Hill.
Paul Harvey, the punk rocker, painter and Stuckist artist, was contacted by Andrew Armstrong, the Director of JOB Cigarette Papers, with the commission of a lifetime – to bring up to date the legendary advertising posters of JOB, which were painted by Paul's idol, Alphonse Mucha, in the 19th century.
JOB's slogan is “Original Doubles” so Paul painted famous duos of our generation. He painted The Mighty Boosh, The White Stripes and Gilbert and George.
Gilbert and George said they were delighted to be painted by Paul Harvey and gave their full OK for the ad to be used.
Paul Harvey and JOB's Director Andrew Armstrong will be at the private view on Wednesday 21 October, 6 - 9 pm. To request an invitation email - fraser@gggallery.co.uk
The show runs 23 October - 8 November 2009 at Wanted Gallery, 15b Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 2EE. It is open Wednesday to Sunday 11 - 6.
Paul Harvey was born in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. He attended Burton Grammar School (1971–78) and North Staffordshire Polytechnic (1978–82) for Foundation Art and BA (Hons) Design. In 1982 he moved to London and played in post-punk bands in London. In 1986 he moved to Newcastle to join Pauline Murray's re-formed punk band Penetration. He co-published-and-drew Mauretania Comics with comics artist Chris Reynolds.
In 2001 he joined the Stuckists artists and founded a Newcastle branch. He has curated Stuckist shows at the Newcastle Arts Centre and with Hiroko Oshima of the Ryu Art Group at the Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick.
Paul Harvey's painting on the cover of the book The Stuckists Punk VictorianHe was a "featured artist" in The Stuckists Punk Victorian show at the Walker Art Gallery during the 2004 Liverpool Biennial. This exhibition was a definitive showing of the Stuckist oeuvre at one of the country's national galleries and thus marked a key point in both the development of the art movement and the standing of the artist. His painting of artist/model Emily Mann was used to promote the show.
The painting was based on a photograph of Mann by Charles Thomson and was originally intended to promote the Stuckists Real Turner Prize Show 2003. At that time the placard contained the text, "Serota needs a good spanking". However, according to Harvey, another artist Gina Bold "got really angry and started a debate about the S&M/fetish allusion. She got really pissed off with me because I didn’t agree with her. Then it got a bit nasty—the whole thing was just daft. Then the show got cancelled—and it had all been a complete waste of my fucking time." He later repainted the placard with a woman's face, and it was used in this form for the Walker show.
Paintings
His images are often derived from pictures of film and singing "stars" in magazines, and reworked into a new context, sometimes with an obvious reference to the work of Alfons Mucha. The incorporation of modern symbols poses an ambiguity as to the amount of irony present, though the artist has claimed that he does not intend this. Possibly his best-known work is a painting of the singer Madonna. The elements mentioned are clearly visible, with small dumbbells around the border, for example and a lively, provocative Madonna, contrasting with Art Nouveau curves and languidity.
He describes his technique: "I use photographs but change the composition on a computer. I project onto canvas, trace the masses with a blue pencil, paint the details freehand with a sable brush, and the larger areas two to four times (for opacity) with Japanese or decorator’s brushes. I often change figures to get it right. I paint incessantly at home—paintings take up to three months."
Text from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harvey_(artist)
 The White StripeSigned limited edition print available To buy this work or for more information email fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 The Mighty BooshSigned limited edition print available To buy this work or for more information email fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 Gilbert & GeorgeSigned limited edition print available To buy this work or for more information email fraser@gggallery.co.uk (Authorised for print by Gilbert & George) |
 Valerie & Her Week of WondersAcrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 Charlotte Church182cm x 61cm £4150 ---------- Limited edition prints of this work are available from an edition of 400 within these sizes: 152 x 101 cm £500(canvas) £350(paper) To order email fraser@gggallery.co.uk or call +44(0)2085408296 now! |
 KraftwerkAcrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 Charles Bridge (with Pavel Brazda elements)Acrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 UntitledAcrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 Girl with Salad and Orange Pop (with Charles Thomson elements)Acrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |
 Girl Holding a Rose1.45 x 1.14 m ---------- Limited edition prints of this work are available from an edition of 400 within these sizes: 152 x 101 cm £500(canvas) £350(paper) To order email fraser@gggallery.co.uk or call +44(0)2085408296 now! |
 Dreaming (of a world without irony)Dreaming (of a world without irony) ---------- Limited edition prints of this work are available from an edition of 400 within these sizes: 152 x 101 cm £500(canvas) £350(paper) To order email fraser@gggallery.co.uk or call +44(0)2085408296 now! |
 Michael Clark & Marie HarveyAcrylic on canvas To buy this work or for more information email: fraser@gggallery.co.uk |