Word to Mother "Let Love Lead The Way"
Vertical Gallery is very pleased to present "Let Love Lead The Way", an exhibit of paintings by British artist Word To Mother
For this exhibition WTM examines the benefits of a positive mindset, focusing on moments of happiness and kindness through the lens of primitive, animated characters inspired by 1930's cartoons. Appreciation of optimism and joy is celebrated with simply realized, early animated animal forms. Painted over the last two years in his seaside studio, the works are split into two bodies; salvaged pieces and layered paintings, both feature characters that are all united in their attitude of perseverance and positivity.
Surfaces that have been in WTM's personal collection since 2004 have been selected to use for this exhibit. Salvaged objects, rusted metal surfaces and vintage wooden patinas make the perfect backdrop to WTM's early animation characters, executed in a limited palette with minimal use of gold leaf.
Painted, textured pieces with gestural marks and layers of illustrations form the surfaces of the contrasting pieces, where WTM's unique line work is seen freely exploring the happiness that the character forms are seeking to express. In this group of painterly pieces the progression and maturity in WTM's work is evident. His freedom of line is embraced and his continuation to explore the depths of nostalgia and basic human emotion is realized through his character interpretations and care free layered painting.
Word to Mother “Happiness Begins at Home”
Word to Mother “Happiness Begins at Home”, 2019 Various mixed media original ...Word to Mother “Death before employment”
Word to Mother “Death before employment”, 2019 Mixed media on panel from roof...Word to Mother “Make your own luck”
Word to Mother “Make your own luck”, 2019 Mixed media on 1950’s sign found in...Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Dog – Left)”
Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Dog – Left)”, 2019 Mixed media on vintage ...Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Mouse – Middle)”
Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Mouse – Middle)”, 2019 Mixed media on vint...Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Bear – Right)”
Word to Mother “Positive Thoughts (Bear – Right)”, 2019 Mixed media on vintag...Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Can Contain. – Cat small”
Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Ca...Word to Mother “External optimist, Internal pessimist”
Word to Mother “External optimist, Internal pessimist”, 2019 Mixed media on r...Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Can Contain. – Bee large”
Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Ca...Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Can Contain. – Cat large”
Word to Mother “The Deeper Sorrow Carves Into Your Being. The More Joy You Ca...Word to Mother “_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the best medicine”
Word to Mother “_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the best medicine”, 2019 Mixed media on an...