| ‘Forgetting
Godot’ by Juno Doran
6th – 31st June 2003
Define the ‘snapshot’?
Is it merely a crude term for cheap and disposable images often associated
with tacky holidays and cheesy social occasions? Or can it evoke the elusive
moment, capture the fleeting and record the transitory? With Juno Doran’s
photorealistic paintings, our preconceptions are challenged; whereby the
humble is heightened through artistic skill and exploration. What fascinates
the artist is that, in an ever-changing world full of conflict, discourse
and unanswerable questions, the only certain truths are the instant ones
intimately observed.
The title of the exhibition
playfully suggests that despite the futility of existence and general
sense of foreboding, we must be able to build upon something life enhancing
and construct a new realm of reality. We find solace in the details, the
shared seconds of joy and the precious spaces that they occupy. It is
within the accidental and the seemingly incidental, that the very foundations
of human experience are found. Juno Doran is an artist aware of this universal
need and has generously invited the viewer into her inner world, a fun
and freaky place, full of laughter and life.
The paintings are
hyper-real, with the artist displaying a formidable talent. The handling
and execution is extra-ordinary, in contrast to the subject matter. Indeed,
it is as if the snapshot has become the expanse of the canvas and vice
versa. It is, for Doran, perhaps a means of finding redemption from the
previous intensive use of photography. This series of paintings explores
not only the composition and immediacy of photography, but also its’
various forms, including a hilarious vertical four shot taken from a typical
photo booth. This immutable moment, repeated by loving couples the world
over is celebrated by Doran, and through incredible craft and skill the
seemingly commonplace has been raised and exalted.
Doran’s superlative
work has already received much critical acclaim; this year will be the
third time she has been short-listed in the BP Portrait Award, having
been previously commended.
She is featured in numerous publications, including 100 Reviews, Art Review,
Blueprint and Flux Magazine, to name but a few. Solo exhibitions have
taken place in Manchester, London (including Catto Contemporary; as part
of the ‘Perverse Pop’ exhibition) and in her native country
Portugal.
NB There will be a catalogue available prior to the exhibition. For more
information and images for publication, please contact Rachel or Hobby:
Catto Contemporary
75a Leonard Street
London EC2A 4QS
Tel: +44 (0)20 7729 0555
Fax: +44 (0)20 7613 0201
rachel@cattocontemporary.com
hobby@cattocontemporary.com
http://www.cattocontemporary.com
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