Exhibition: July 20th - August 16th 2010
Preview: Monday 19th July 2010, 18.00-20.00

In her solo show ‘Lupanar’ Natalie Gale explores the concept of ‘fragment as fetish’. The work borrows colours and characteristics from frescos, architecture and erotic artifacts, which have been unearthed from the ruins of ancient Pompeii. These acquired elements are then merged with objects, painting and narrative to create an installation of erotically charged entities.

Gale’s work takes inspiration from the largest and explicitly decorated Pompeian bordello, Lupanar (VII, 12, 18-20). Its name translates as ‘den of the she-wolves’ an extension of the word lupa and an ancient Latin colloquialism for a prostitute. Her work Wolf Girl, a small luminous orange panel painting with impasto and embellishments of gold leaf, refers to the Valeria Messalina the promiscuous wife of Emperor Claudius who frequented brothels in secret.

Such narratives are interwoven with Gale’s own erotic writings featured in Centenary Erotic Roulette. This work comprises of two paintings perched on metal stands and through the ellipse apertures featured in the panels we read the writing on the wall, an excerpt from Gale’s short story Gabinetto Segreto or secret cabinet.

Gale’s work is rooted in the sensuality of paint. Candy pigmented gesso and distemper surfaces are contrasted with thick oil paint. Encrusted blobs of piped paint, globular cords and congealed smears threaten to engulf their wooden supports. Luscious and sometimes excessive the exhibition offers a sensory experience, one of attraction and at the same time repulsion.

Opening times:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am to 6pm
Wednesday - Friday: 10am to 5pm.

For more information please call 0191 515 2128 or email Do Holroyd.