This is the Tunes and Whispered at CueB Gallery

cueB presents John Duckworth’s debut exhibition in London.

‘This is the Tunes and Whispered’ will feature seven large format paintings that explore a dialogue between Eastern Buddhism and Western consumerism. Each painting is embedded with eastern spiritual and art historical iconography and text, which is juxtaposed with imagery from contemporary Western culture and nature. Embodying these thematic concepts, the work evokes questions of identity, purpose, and perspective.

‘This is the Tunes and Whispered’ highlights work from Duckworth’s series of the same title - born of the artist’s fascination with Joseph Campbell’s monomyth and the placement of himself along the path of the “hero’s journey.” It is from the ‘Call to Adventure’ stage in which Duckworth began further investigating Eastern philosophies and practices and incorporating these into his daily life and work. The multitude of layers in the paintings indicate the complexity of Duckworth’s process in addition to its visual and conceptual content.

Duckworth’s work is based in processing the vast and overwhelming array of visual stimuli received daily in consumer driven Western contemporary culture and balancing this input with an Eastern contemplative practice. The self-hypnosis of modern mass-communications, combined with political, environmental, cultural, and social uncertainty has led to an omni-present low-level anxiety that permeates Western society at large. Duckworth’s meditation practice is fundamental to his creative process. For the artist, it is through witnessing the results of a deeper inner awareness of habitual thoughts, words, and actions that he becomes more adept at finding balance in these uncertain times.

For this exhibition at cueB, the gallery will be transformed into an intimate quasi-spiritual space. The large, content and color-rich paintings will surround audiences to create a highly subjective experience that encourages understanding, reflection, and contemplation.

During the opening on May 2nd at 7:00 pm, the artist will perform as part of the video installation AWAKE in conjunction with the exhibition.


Image: 'New Highs and Lows' by John Duckworth