Stuart Mayes
Nominated by: David Barrett
Born: 1968
United Kingdom
Lives/works: United Kingdom/Sweden
Statement
Stuart Mayes’ body of sculptural works has grown out of his long-term performance-art practice. Often incorporating traditional, practical craftwork – such as sewing – Mayes’ sculptures explore notions of masculinity through a domestic vocabulary that relies on memories of old-fashioned suburban values. While the range of Mayes’ subjects takes in bawdiness, tragedy, and sentimentality, each is handled with a rigorously controlled aesthetic of terrifying restraint. Perhaps the true subject of Mayes’ work is precisely this maddening British quality: phlegmatic restraint in the face of necessary, turbulent emotions.
-David Barrett-
Recent Exhibitions (Download full CV here)
Go-Go, M2 Gallery, London, UK. 2009
Stonewall: 40 Years On, Clifford Chance, London, UK. 2009
Brief Encounter, Nordisk Konst Plattform, Stavanger, Norway. 2008
Schmatte Couture, Ben Uri Gallery, London, UK. 2008
Golden Rain, Michael Petry Project for Stavanger, Norway. 2008
www.stuartmayes.com
