London - This April, Richard Galloway presents his second solo show at Wyer Gallery, which opens with a private view on the 3^rd April 2009.  Galloway will exhibit a new series of unique, large-scale linocuts containing meticulous depictions of London’s east end: snapshots of an only semi-fictitious sin-city, which comprise ‘High Street’.  This most recent work continues with his now trademark bleak humour to explore the themes of social change, conflict, faith and struggle. On view 4^th April – 16^th May 2009.

In the past, the intensity of Galloway’s linocuts, the dark humour and satirical edge of his narratives, has been compared to the landscapes of Paul Noble. Like Noble, Galloway is an accomplished draughtsman, but unlike what we see in Noble’s imaginary universe, Galloway’s world, albeit with a degree of artistic license, is based on what he sees about him everyday. And the accuracy or legitimacy of his observations has always been hard gained through being right there in the throng of the action, immersing himself in the environments he studies, be it his local barber’s, boozer or betting shop, or rising pre-dawn to accompany his neighbourhood’s dustbin men on their morning rounds.

With a dutiful nod to Hogarth and his modern moral subjects, Gallowayoffers enjoyably uncomplicated narratives that unfold the stories of these east end types – hard-men and hard-grafters, tramps, prostitutes, bar flies, bingo callers - unflatteringly depicted sometimes but without cruelty; narratives which,‘contain detailed references to contemporary life in the East End, from the food people eat to the clothes they wear, while projecting an underlying sadness for its fading values. Branding such as Starbuck’s and iPods sully his romantic view of salt-of-the-earth types but, simultaneously, their inclusion updates his use of the traditional process of printmaking.[Gemma De Cruz 2005]

Richard Galloway’s second solo exhibition opens with a private view on 3rd April 2009.  Further info, images and previews are available on request.

Richard Galloway (b. 1980 Kettering, Northamptonshire) lives and works London.  He is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, London.  Since his last show at Wyer Gallery he has exhibited in group shows with The Great Unsigned, which also presented his work at Zoo Art Fair, and he regularly collaborates with Le Gun.  His work is in prestigious collections including the Saatchi Collection and the collection of David Roberts.

Wyer Gallery is at: 191 St. John’s Hill - London SW11 1TH - + 44 (0)20 7223 8433 - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it /  www.thewyergallery.co.uk