"Gorgeously Repulsive: Charlotte Bernstein, Simon Collins, Angela Edmonds, Daniel Lehan, Prudence Emma Staite, Kate Sully"
2005-04-26 until 2005-05-21
University of Essex Art Gallery
Colchester, , UK United Kingdom

The University of Essex Gallery is pleased to present Gorgeously Repulsive, an exhibition of 'substance'. This exhibition features six contemporary British artists who work to explore food - particularly chocolate - and the dichotomy of desire and disgust that it can act as symbol for. Gorgeously Repulsive brings these artists together for the first time. United by the aim to understand deeper associations between food and notions of control, in Gorgeously Repulsive they form a challenging and thought-provoking show.

Artist Prudence Emma Staite who recently created works for the Dali Universe, will craft a site-specific chocolate room that can be interacted with and consumed. Angela Edmondsí recreates her humorous 1994 work Sweet Tooth - a chocolate cake containing teeth rich in associations to eating disorders. In his bold paintings Simon Collins, who was selected for East International 2004, makes ironic comment on society, and specifically the excesses and indulgences of the nouvelle riche culture inherent in Essex. The other artists that form Gorgeously Repulsive are Charlotte Bernstein, Kate Sully, and Daniel Lehan.

Gorgeously Repulsive is positioned at a time when food and chocolate is particularly relevant. The media warns daily how obesity levels are rising, yet chocolate is still heavily celebrated and consumed. The exhibition opens just after Easter, and Tim Burtonís highly anticipated remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is due for release later this year. The subject of Gorgeously Repulsive is one all can relate to.

Gorgeously Repulsive is the first exhibition by an emerging group of curators based at the University of Essex. A full colour catalogue published by Palladian Press will accompany the exhibition. An education programme encompassing film screenings and talks will run alongside Gorgeously Repulsive.

Related Links:

Indepth Arts Resources for United Kingdom

Other Important Exhibitions in United Kingdom