George Henry Longly at Liste 2014: elements for a light mythology

 

The most perceptive text among the many on-line pages dedicated to George Henry Longly is, from our point of view, the one introducing the artist’s recent solo show at Jonathan Viner gallery, London. Thanks to this unsigned writing, the group of artworks by Longly just presented at Liste could move from the insidious ground of fashion, night life and pop culture, to set an unpredictable and more interesting dialogue with the Bible.

 

In the case of “Djush” – see our gallery of images – the lavish marble plate and the hairsprays are to be considered elements which ironically address to the legendary Samson’s episode. If so the cutie face of Barney Rubble – the second main character of the Flintstones is indeed the focal point of the work – would be a hint of flooring lightness intended to mock the hero and his symbolic weak point. “Djush” is just a sound, hence probably the one of the hairspray when Samson/Barney push the button for fixing his matchless hairdressing. 1, 2, 3 and…

 

After having been included during 2013 in group shows at David Zwirner, Laura Bartlett and Jonathan Viner, this year GHL had a solo show in this latter gallery (February 2014). Then he was included in a group show at Robert Blumenthal with Ayan Farah, Ryan Estep, Aaron Aujila, Letha Wilson and Ross Iannatti among the others. In July GHL will be hosting Anal House Meltdown with Eddie Peake and Prem Sahib as part of Volcano Extravaganza 2014, organised by the Fiorucci Art Trust in Stomboli. Then he will be in the Moving Museum show in Istanbul following a residency there. In the fall GHL will have another solo show, with Kendall Koppe in Glasgow.

 

 

 

 

September 22, 2014