The group exhibition 'Shimmering Substance' features work by Cheryl Huntbach, Graham Lister and Gary Simmonds - three artists who carefully consider the nature and potential of the painting's surface - alluring and spatially deceptive. This micro exhibition is curated by Sean Williams.

Bloc Studios, 198 Arundel Street, Sheffield S1 4RE

Exhibition dates: 23 July to 28 August 2021

Exhibition Narrative

Approached by curator Sean Williams in April 2021, and invited to exhibit an existing work or develop a new painting to work in dialogue with the practices of Huntbach and Simmonds, two well-established painters based in Sheffield.

The title Shimmering Substance relates to Jackson Pollock’s 1946 painting, which was one of Pollock’s first completely non-figurative works. Neither Huntbach, Simmonds or myself include figures in our work at present and instead each look at engaging with the surface of the painting in new and interesting ways.

Brightness Behind, oil on board, 40x30cm, 2021 was a new painting developed for Shimmering Substance. It was not only envisioned as being in visual conversation with works by Simmonds and Huntbach, but was also about developing an interesting aspect of ongoing practice. Recently, investigations have focused on painting barrier weaves – considering how paint can be pushed and pulled on a surface to parallel the patterns of warp and weft strands.