In short, in theory and with a bit of luck
Solo Exhibition
2012
The private archive of Clive Entwistle (1916-1976) whose project was once described by Le Corbusier as ‘casting a great light as from an unlimited flash of lightening’, contains rich and varied material of un-built works. Entwistle was repeatedly on the cusp of consummating his architectural visions. He designed but did not win The Crystal Palace competition in the late 30’s and later in 1960 The Liverpool Cathedral competition, awarded to Sir Frederick Gibberd. Later in New York he developed the principal scheme for Madison Square Garden but did not see out the project.
In this series of mixed media collages, framed to recall specimen slides, Sarah Entwistle appropriates elements of her grandfather’s drawings and photographic portraits. Rubbed and creased letra-sets frame and merge with portraits of his many muses. Over these juxtapositions the artist has applied thick gestural strokes of paint onto the exterior of the glass. This obfuscation and visual editing of the archival material beneath brings the female subjects into sharp focus. While elsewhere paint is used to mirror the geometric forms of the drawings beneath, dissolving them into painterly abstractions.
This exhibition does not attempt to reconstruct this individual’s practice and presence through a historical methodology. Instead Sarah Entwistle constructs formal and textural interplays to explore a legacy of perceived failure and erasure.
Architectural Association, London.
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