sentience
1. the condition of being conscious or aware
2. the quality of emotional response, distinguished from intellectual processes
Ritu Sood's paintings commonly feature solitary life-size female figures in, what appear to be, various states of physical exertion and rehabilitation. Although afforded, what might best be described as, a sense of harmony within their anonymous surrounds, the apparent isolation of these figures and the particularity of their predicaments, also suggests something altogether more profound. Sood's work owes as much to the anatomical study as it does to its deft use of colour. This pre-occupation with mechanics of the anatomy and colour, elicit narratives in which mood and suggestion resonate, but resist providing any obvious meaning.
In the hanging of the paintings, each canvas is stretched taut and mounted directly on to the surface of the gallery wall, providing another dynamic to the work. More than a stylistic device, such a direct but simple mode of presentation draws parallels between the physicality and visual economy of the paintings.
In a contemporary climate more accustomed to an easy sensationalism and a certain manufactured 'professionalism', it is a testament to her abilities as a painter that, Sood is willing and able to present audiences in London with the first opportunity to experience such an understated but nonetheless compelling body of work.
An illustrated brochure with critical appreciations, on Ritu Sood's practice, by David Mollin and Cherry Smyth accompanies the exhibition.
Artist talk: Monday 28 November, 2-4pm at London Metropolitan University (LMU), 1st Floor Lecture Theatre, 41 Commercial Road, E1 (The talk is free but booking is advised). Organised in collaboration with the Fine Art Department at LMU
Ritu Sood was born in London in 1974 where she continues to live. Sood completed an MFA in Painting at The Slade School of Fine Art in 1999. Selected exhibitions include:
Soliloquies, a solo exhibition at The Bonington Gallery, Nottingham, 2003;
Naked, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol, 2004;
Art Not War, Diorama Gallery, London, 2004;
Come on you Intellectuals!, The Old Seager Distillery, 'Deptford X', London, 2003;
Splash, The Raw Gallery, SoHo, Manhattan, New York, USA, 1997;
xiii, Gasworks, Oval, London, 1995.
For more information contact:
Richard Hylton at Unit 2
020 7320 1970/1948 or
info@unit2.co.uk
Gallery opening hours:
Tuesday - Friday 12-6pm and by appointment
