SAMUEL BASSETT 'TORN ANIMA' - 30/3 - 24/4/12


‘Torn Anima’ is the inaugural solo exhibition by Samuel Bassett at Millennium.

One realises after being confronted, then coming to terms with this torrent of an exhibition that we are witnessing a map of an active mind, untangled (perhaps slightly) and placed first around the support of the work itself and cumulatively around a space.

A large number of these images are based on memory, not of matters of obviously profound depth or weight, but of day-to-day events, however insignificant they might seem. These paintings are a document or diary, a confused narrative of daily life and the artist’s placement within it. Through ‘play’ this juxtaposition of collected figures, text and landscapes, thrown together create a new open ended dialogue.

“The thought process is amazing, so fast it goes” Bassett says, his work is about trying to keep up. The imagery grows organically as it is constructed. Bassett explains “I try visualising thought process, how we talk to ourselves, (easy to see how an imbalance can play havoc with our mind). I make two faced, opinionated turncoat style images displaying personalities (indicated also by using high contrast colours and materials). The elements conflict, I love making things fight, I love to apply as much as I can in ways I was told I should not do (education). Things do go wrong, butthat’s great! I like what chance provides us with when using unmeasured techniques. I aim to find a coherent centre spot, or repetitive sound. By placing all my thoughts, collected imagery and conversations down, it allows me to play much like a girl with her dolls house or a boy with his bucket of toy soldiers and Lego. I have a saw, nails, brushes, paint and some time…”

Bassett uses recorded muffled and sometimes misunderstood random conversation as a seed from which the work germinates, by visualising these dialogues on the surface of the piece. He never sets on one painting in isolation, he claims that would “feel as though his body was running on one artery”. By working over many pieces they are constantly adapting in an organic and unmeasured process as fresh thoughts, approaches or ideas develop. Processes tested on one painting are often applied onto other pieces using all the space available – as the studio becomes almost one surface. The process is visceral and reflects further the cochophony and contamination of our internal and external existence.

This rich tapestry inspires both lucid and opaque readings, where comedy and disturbance often become bedfellows. This could be viewed as the conscious meeting the subconscious, or the primal shaking hands (or swapping punches) with our more modern perhaps genteel side.


Joseph Clarke. 2012.



He Went in His Sleep
mixed media construction . 270 x 80 cm




Escape from Hairy Man
mixed media on panel . 122 x 132 cm




Night Fishing Gwidden
mixed media on panel . 45 x 45 cm





Man Dreaming of Pregnancy
mixed media on panel . 48 x 48 cm





Dirty Smiler
mixed media on panel . 62 x 43 cm





Loyal Dave
mixed media on panel . 62 x 43 cm





Boy in Dress Melted
mixed media on panel . 25 x 25 cm





By Far John
mixed media on panel . 26 x 25 cm





Three in a Dress
mixed media on panel . 22 x 23 cm





Was Sick on his Chest
mixed media on panel . 25 x 25 cm





Riding Dads Head to School with Pez
mixed media on panel . 122 x 122 cm





Eaten in Bed
mixed media on panel . 122 x 122 cm





Leth Construction
mixed media construction . 50 x 50 cm





Busy Little Milkmen
mixed media construction . 38 x 48 cm





There’s a Pug on my Shoulder
mixed media on panel . 32 x 46 cm





Jesus had Tits
mixed media on panel . 34 x 23 cm





Toby Transexual Goat & Flowers
mixed media on panel . 34 x 23 cm





LIFE Publication
mixed media two faced construction . 72 x 40 cm





Together
mixed media on two faced construction . 54 x 29 cm





She’s Looking at Porn
mixed media on panel . 22 x 23 cm





He Ate my Head
mixed media on panel . 25 x 25 cm





Together in You
mixed media on panel . 25 x 25 cm





Lets Talk Who’s Died
mixed media on panel . 27 x 27 cm





She Bit I Peed
mixed media on panel . 48 x 49 cm





Man on Plate in Throat
mixed media on panel . 45 x 45 cm





All I Want...
mixed media on panel . 103 x 104 cm





Spoon Face
mixed media on board . 32 x 24 cm





Torn, Dead, Blog
mixed media on board . 23 x 15 cm each





Pregnant with Tom
mixed media on panel . 96 x 65 cm





Lost in Bed and Smoke Ring
mixed media on panel . 97 x 80 cm





Holding up the Idiot
mixed media on panel . 42 x 32 cm





McDonalds ere No
mixed media construction . 136 x 12 x 12 cm





Bliss is Here
mixed media construction . 154 x 20 cm





Void
mixed media construction . 24 x 14 cm





My Favourites
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Dirty Feet
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





I Like
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Food From Tescos
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Finished Her
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





On Your Breath
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Farty
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Are We Ill
watercolour on paper . 30 x 21 cm





Father in my Belly
mixed media on card . 20 x 18 cm





With You
mixed media on card . 19 x 14 cm





Three Were Sick
mixed media on card . 19 x 14 cm





Little Voices
mixed media on card . 14 x 10 cm





Signal Strong
mixed media on card . 16 x 14 cm





Carbis Bay
mixed media on card . 14 x 15 cm





Lady Friend
mixed media on photograph . 11 x 6 cm each





Low Priest
mixed media on card . 15 x 14 cm




Fish Wife Fish Man
mixed media on card . 14 x 14 cm each






Drink from You
mixed media on card . 18 x 14 cm





Fear Gods
mixed media on card . 20 x 20 cm




In Vest
mixed media on card . 20 x 28 cm





Hangover
mixed media on card . 19 x 22 cm





Sex with You
mixed media on card . 15 x 14 cm





Fallen
mixed media on card . 21 x 19 cm