We begin the year with a stunning new collection by Meirion Ginsberg.
Most of the show is portraits and his subjects pose for us, with their outfits and their adornments, still and silent. They watch or stare at us casually, or perhaps they attempt to avert their eyes, to evade our scrutiny.
Meirion’s subjects are smart, self-possessed and forthright. He draws some of his inspiration from advertising and magazines, where presentation is all. Where illusion triumphs. They display the trappings of success: sleek hair and good clothes, jewellery. They go on holiday and recline by the pool! And yet… Meirion also has deep-rooted punk sensibilities which run counter to polite and straightforward expressions of docile conformity.
Throughout the work, we are given contradictory signals. There are sly details, ‘tells’ and red herrings. These apparently straightforward portraits become tricky and ambiguous, playing with ideas of authenticity and performance. Navigating between the comforts of communication and concealment.
Meirion was born in 1985, and trained in Cardiff. He currently lives and works near Chester. He is one of Wales’ most popular young artists and his work is highly collectable.