Fake News, Ernesto Cánovas

Cánovas draws his sources from old and new media to produce evocative, semi-abstracted artworks that through their imagery often make reference to historic events, from Richard Nixon's infamous impeachment to Trump's presidential victory, that are forever ingrained in our collective memory. This body of works also addresses present day topics, such as the spotlight that has been placed on women's rights, fuelled by the Me Too-campaign and the ongoing revelation of the gender pay gap. However, due to the works' abstraction, the message is subtle, both allowing the audience to reflect on the past and encouraging them to analyse the present. Cánovas notes that:

'Historic events shouldn't be forgotten and reflecting on these from time to time is a positive thing, not least because it helps us to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Today's events are tomorrow's history.'

The majority of the paintings in the exhibition include rectangular blocks of acrylic colour on the surface of the work. The blocks of colour are heightened by multiple layers of resin to create a unique depth of surface. Through the introduction of abstract colour, Cánovas breaks down the boundaries between light, colour, form and abstraction. The inclusion of this bold painterly effect reminds the viewer that these images have been manipulated by the hand of the artist and, therefore, sit within the blurred boundaries of fact and fiction.

In a time of international instability, where the world is facing greater change than ever before, this exhibition could not be more poignant. Cánovas addresses an issue that is at the heart of today's politics and questions our everyday reality.