Unveiling the Digital Disruptions: Paul Lemmon's Oil Paintings in Coventry
Get ready for a captivating art exhibition that challenges our perception of the digital world! In February, Coventry will host a unique showcase of oil paintings by Birmingham-born artist Paul Lemmon, titled 'Through the Screen'. This thought-provoking collection explores the intricate relationship between technology and humanity, offering a fresh perspective on the glitches we encounter in our daily digital lives.
Lemmon's artwork is a visual representation of the glitches we often see on our screens, but with a twist. Unlike the temporary errors that pop up on our devices, his paintings are permanent, unchanging, and uninteractive. He explains, 'My paintings look like screens but they don't behave like screens. They don't require power, updates, or logins, and they can't be downloaded or switched off.' This unique approach challenges the traditional definition of a glitch, inviting viewers to contemplate the nature of these digital interruptions.
The exhibition begins with a series of 10 paintings inspired by corrupted YouTube footage, featuring people talking to the camera. Lemmon's creative process involves manipulating computer systems to disrupt their intended functions, allowing him to explore the boundaries of technology in art. He states, 'By disrupting the computer's own processes for my compositions, I'm using technology in a way it's not supposed to be used, and that's art.'
But it's not just about the glitches. Lemmon's work also delves into the metaphorical masks we wear on social media, reflecting how our personalities can splinter and fracture in the digital realm. The paintings, though often featuring fragmented images of anonymous individuals, also include iconic faces from the pre-internet era, such as Richard Nixon, Madonna, Debbie Harry, and David Bowie. This blend of the familiar and the fragmented adds another layer of complexity to the exhibition.
'My message for viewers is to stay with real life as much as possible,' Lemmon encourages. 'Through the Screen' will be on display from February 4th to 15th, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating world of digital disruptions and the beauty of oil paintings.
