tim hunkin/the art gallery 1

engineer

tim .

. hunkin

cartoonist

THE ART GALLERY
Some Spectators
After an exhibition of my early coin operated machines at the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts, London 1981), I had many offers of exhibitions in provincial galleries and decided to make a touring exhibition. This turned into a set of characters looking at art – partly because I have childhood memories of finding the other people in art galleries more interesting than the art, and partly in reaction to the intensely elitist atmosphere at the ICA.

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HEAD OF SCULPTURE, 1982

The art slowly rotates, the man reads his catalogue and puffs his pipe. His wife looks mildy disgusted. The characters were based on Corrine and Adrian Heath, my landlords when I lived in London

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THE BUILDER AND HIS WIFE, 1982

The builder scratches his head, his wife shrugs her shoulders

Watch a video of them in my 'Some early machines' film

UNDERSTANDING, 1983 You pick up headphones and listen to art jargon (taken ad verbatum from theoretical art magazines).		EDUCATION, 1983 The tutor energetically enthuses, while the students look on apathetically

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THE CONOISSEUR, 1982

He peers forward, holding up his specs, then leans back and nods knowledgeably. He later became the collecting box for the Glenvivian art gallery in Swansea. I also made a copy for York city art gallery though I suspect its not currently on display.

The Art gallery in situ Is it Art? The Art Gallery catalogue (170k) ICA collection box
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