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The Selfies of Saatchi Gallery

carlymccullough

The temporary art gallery features a range of pieces centred around the “selfie.”

The entrance to Saatchi Gallery is located in the heart of Sloane Square.

In today’s modern society, selfies are becoming an art form of their own.

The word “selfie” is probably even in the dictionary by now, whereas 10 years or so ago, no one would’ve known what that was.

With that said, though, that doesn’t mean the “selfie” didn’t exist.

A modern selfie in one of the exhibits of Saatchi Gallery features celebrities and models like Behati Prinsloo (middle with tongue out) and Jourdan Dunn (far left).

This temporary exhibition focuses on exploring the history of the selfie and celebrating its creative potential.

While Saatchi Gallery has been open for 25 years now, this specific exhibit, known as “From Selfie to Self-Expression,” has been featured since March 31st and will be there until May 28th of this year.

The gallery features more than 10 exhibits showcasing different aspects of the selfie.

A series of self-portraits photographed in the style of old Hollywood films is featured above. The series, by Cindy Sherman, is meant to display the way that Hollywood cinema has contributed to the stereotypes about women.

The first exhibit upon entry features a range of classical painting, such as those by Van Gogh, but mutilated to look as if displayed on Instagram.

It creates a paradox by combining such classic and modern concepts into one art form.

Visitors can even walk by and “like” their favorite ones, just as you would like someone’s photo on Instagram.

Another exhibit features some of the most iconic celebrity selfies in our modern generation, including the Pope and Harry Styles.

They show the modern evolution of the selfie through famous figures of today and date all the way back to the first selfie ever taken.

Some of the most classical pieces of art are shown mimicking today’s social media above.

A selection of selfies from famous figures today features Harry Styles, the Pope and Kim Kardashian (from left to right).

The first “selfie” to ever be taken was allegedly by a group of men in 1939.

“From Selfie to Self-Expression” also features an exhibit with interactive art.

Visitors can pass by what looks to be the frame of a painting, but once in front of it, the screen makes whomever it sees appears as a painting. It’ll follow you as you move, creating a cool effect that defies the possibilities of still art.

Right next to that is another interactive piece that casts your shadow as you move by it through video technology. As a blank canvas, it looks like a wall of tan-toned fur, but as soon as a moving person walks in front of it, the technology senses the movement and rotates to black fur where the shadow would be.

An entire room in the gallery has been devoted solely to moving selfies.

As far as modern art goes, some of the content featured in this exhibition is ahead of its time, showcasing all the opportunity within the future of the art world.

Not only is Saatchi Gallery currently featuring an art which some still dare to call it that – the selfie – but they are also giving regular people the opportunity to submit their own work.

One of the exhibits as you walk through features a collection of unique selfies submitted by people from all over the world. This gives a chance for the individuality of today’s creative minds to stand out without necessarily declaring themselves an “artist.”

A visitor observes the work of a young man’s progression of selfies with various people and celebrities throughout his years of aging.


The selfie is an art that anyone can take up and master, and Saatchi Gallery has shown that off perfectly.

It is located in Sloane Square off of Kings Road in Chelsea, London.

You can find the world’s number one museum on their website or on their Instagram page.

-C.M.

Elphick an Elphick in England's Bath

carlymccullough

The husband and wife duo bring their exhibition to Bath for the weekend.

44AD Artspace features Elphick and Elphick’s exhibition for the weekend.

The iconic spot that everyone wants to see in Bath, England is more often than not the Roman Baths.

With great history and artistic interest behind the ancient structure, it’s no secret as to why it’s on everyone’s list of English things to see. The historical site is definitely worth a visit, but what you not necessarily be on the lookout for is a locally run art gallery.

Elphick and Elphick is an exhibition of painting, sculpture and drawing featured momentarily in a small studio right across from the Roman Baths.

The exhibition is currently being presented only for a weekend in the 44D Artspace, a gallery and studio space available for rent by different artists and their work.

Located on Abbey Street, the nook space across from the Roman Baths is almost hidden away, if you aren’t looking for it. It’d hard to tell upon initial arrival if you’re even in the right location, but take a peek inside.

The drift over will be well worth it.

A broad scope look inside the Elphick’s exhibition showcases both the pair’s work.

Sculptor Martin Elphick runs the exhibition with his wife Deirdre Elphick, an painter and filmmaker.

The two travel hand in hand with their exhibition all over England, usually stopping in different studio spaces for a weekend or two to show off their work.

Martin Elphick, who usually runs the exhibition while his wife works on her artistry, will be more than happy to discuss the work featured with visitors.

He has a knack for claiming his wife is the real talent of the two, but each of their collections of work speak vibrantly for themselves.

Some of the detail in these hand-painted works is shown above, utilizing a technique of mixed brushstrokes to create intricate texture.

Martin Elphick had an intimate range of his sculptures present, ranging from everything from abstracts and animals to people and templates of the brain.

The inspiration behind a lot of what comes to his wraps itself around the idea that interpretation is up to the eye of whomever will give his work the time.

He’d rather someone take it and appreciate it for their own, versus push one single definition of whatever he’s sculpting as the only way to see it.

One of Martin Elphick’s sculptures is featured above, with the background showcasing a series of work done by his wife.

His wife, Deirdre Elphick, focuses most of her artistic nature into painting, a passion that Martin Elphick explained she’s practiced since she was just a young girl.

Her newest series of work showcases a style of painting that incorporates not lifting the brush. This way, the strokes all combine with one another fluidly while still creating a visibly identifiable image.

Deirdre Elphick watched a group of dancers perform every day for a week in order to complete her latest paintings.

The technique of one continuous brush stroke with the movement of dance was used to create a unique set of images, showcasing the complex feelings the dancers convey on a still piece of canvas.

Deirdre Elphick’s latest series of paintings features the movement of contemporary dance, using a technique of one fluid brush stroke.

The duo’s next exhibition will take place on Woolley Street in Bradford on Avon from Sunday, June 25th until Sunday, July 2nd.

Tickets can be purchased for £3 at the gate or online, with the option of a £6 ticket opening night for live music and a glass of wine included.

Martin Elphick can also be reached by email at martin.elphick@btinternet.com. To contact 44AD Artspace for inquiry or upcoming exhibitions, you can reach the gallery by email at studio44ad@gmail.com or on their website.

-C.M.