Dan Rawlings, Untranslated. Opening this May 2016, Rawlings will be turning the Whitecross Street gallery into an immersive world of hand cut metal and shadows.

Untranslated, the first UK solo show of mixed media artist Dan Rawlings introduces us to his latest collection of hand cut metal objects. Taking the shows title from his fascination with words that have not been translated into English, Rawlings new collection focuses on words such as Waldeinsamkeit, meaning a feeling of connectedness to nature when in woodland. He explains these ephemeral words as a return to “the importance of dreaming, to enjoy the simpler moments” that contradicts our fast paced consumer led lifestyles. Untranslated is the antidote London has been waiting for.

It is this theme of a simpler life that threads through the immersive exhibition.

You will have seen his hand cut antique saws at Affordable Art Fair Battersea and Hampstead; you'll certainly have seen his hand cut silo lighting up the forecourt of the fair. Untranslated takes Dan's untranslated words and enlarges them into a shadowy immersive installation of hand cut metal artworks that throw their images onto the walls of the gallery. The soft and playful shadow of people enjoying a simpler life contradicts the found and rusted metal pieces that are carefully hand cut with a laser that grapples with the strength of the metal.

So, how exactly did Dan come to find this method of making art? Rawlings explains it as a 'happy accident' after turning to his Grandfather for scrap metal to patch up a door with, and happening upon an antique saw that he recognised his opportunity: “I recognised what I mentioned before about the 'collective memories' and decided to try and keep the saws form in tact and create something from it. It took a while to make some work I was really happy with, but I'm really glad I did.” Untranslated is certainly an exhibition of conversion.

The show is accompanied by a handmade multi lingual dictionary of untranslated words, which act as catalogue of prints. Having hand-made a page of the book everyday, Dan Rawlings has illustrated each word with screen prints, wood block prints and letter press pages, each of which are available to buy. The artist decided to create this book to invite everyone to enjoy the artwork on show, in the spirit of inclusivity.

Untranslated also sees the emergence of a new style of work from Rawlings: cut antique canvases. Having been forced indoors during winter, Rawlings turned to antique canvases to continue making new work and to develop his practice. Having trawled the auction rooms of the UK, Rawlings has specifically chosen canvases that he can 'collaborate' with, rather than detract from their beauty.

Dan Rawlings wants your old rusty saws and metal! On Saturday 28 May, 12-4pm Curious Duke Gallery will be holding a metal amnesty, with all unwanted metal going to Dan Rawlings for future artworks. If you are interested in having a spring clean of your garden shed or attic, please send images of your unwanted metal to info(at)curiousdukegallery(dot)com for further details.   

Curious Duke Gallery is proud to present Dan Rawlings: Untranslated

PV 5 May 2016, 6-9pm

5-28 May 2016

Curious Duke Gallery

173 Whitecross London EC1Y 8JT


Nearest Tube: Old Street (exit 6 - 2 min walk) Barbican (5mins)

Contact: eleni@curiousdukegallery.com for more information re: premises/ the event/ interviews.

sinead@curiousdukegallery.com for guest list

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Editor's notes;

Curious Duke Gallery:
Catering to first time and experienced art collectors with a passion to discover the best new and emerging contemporary artistic talents. Curious Duke Gallery only represent the best in new contemporary talent who work in a wide range of media that often defies categorisation. Through promoting and supporting these talents, they aim to dispel the myth that quality artwork comes with a high price. Curious Duke Gallery will encourage the accessibility of original and affordable artwork, whilst supporting young artists in their early career, which in turn will create investment opportunities for art buyers and collectors. 2014 saw CDG run the inaugural Secret Art Prize to great acclaim, which is now in its third year.

Multi award winning Curious Duke Gallery lay claim to 2nd place Micro Business Smarta 100 2013 Awards in association with O2, and 2nd best cultural venue in Shoreditch and Hoxton by TimeOut #LoveLondon Awards 2015.

Eleni Duke:
Eleni Duke has cemented her position on the UK art scene as championing surreal and urban artwork, and taking on artists who have many years' experience to no experience of exhibiting and selling their work. Duke's nurturing approach to young talent has seen her nominated for Micro Business of the Year 2013, and appearing as a judge for the all female Femme Fierce street art competition. This constant search for talent and its growth has led CDG to launch their very own art prize. The Secret Art Prize returns February 2016, welcoming Moniker Director Frankie Shea, artist Hannah Adamaszek, and Inspiring.