Across the Universe by Guy Allott

Grey Area presents its first artist multiple, a work entitled ‘Across the Universe’ by the London based artist Guy Allott. Conjuring up the optimism of space travel and the enduring yet retro expectation of visitors finally arriving from far, far away, the work plays with modernity, pre-history and recent cultural ancestry. In line with its modern and historical influences ‘Across the Universe’ is beautifully produced using a combination of both traditional and new methods of fabrication. Presented as a concise work of art where all elements have their purpose, the star spangled box is especially hand-made and covered in a sumptuous red fabric and embossed with gold leaf. This hinges open to reveal the rest of the work. The inside is completely covered with a space vista in black Fabriano paper hand-painted by the artist. In front of this stands a melancholy spaceship laser cut from waxed walnut, apparently hovering within a shield shaped window framing the galaxies below. The work speaks the language of hunting trophies, of the boyish enthusiasm for space-travel and of surrealism. The animal-like craft seems almost skeletal like H.R Giger’s creatures from Alien and reminiscent of the mysterious dance across millennia in 2001: A space odyssey. Beautifully produced in an edition of 25, ‘Across the Universe’ is engaged in an unclear world of contradictions. It is both animal and mechanical, it looks at a future that might be and harps back to various pasts, both fondly and with trepidation. This aspiration is undercut with a dark underbelly of naïve cynicism all presented as a childlike diorama with an undercurrent of Victoriana. The work ‘Across the Universe’ has been commissioned and developed closely with the artist by Grey Area Multiples. The work is published in a total edition of 30 which includes 4 artist’s proofs (A/P) and 1 Hors Commerce edition (H/C). Guy Allott Across the Universe, 2007. Dimensions when flat: 28mm x 371mm x 296mm Dimensions when on show: 410mm x 427mm x 296mm Materials: Card, fabric, gold leaf, hand painted fabriano paper, acrylic paint, waxed walnut wood and ribbon.

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