#notquitedisney Curated by Magda Archer
Published on:
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Jealous is excited to present our newest group exhibition #notquitedisney, an extravaganza of off-brand Disney tributes, lovingly curated by Magda Archer.
This exhibition showcases a fantastic selection of works from Adam Bridgland, Adam Dant, Amelia Galliford, Bench Allen, Ceal Warnants, Charlotte Grocutt, Colin Barnes, Dave Buonaguidi, David Shrigley, Euan Roberts, Hannah Dickens, Harry Hill,Harry Pye, Haus Of Lucy, Heath Kane, Humphrey Ocean, Jake Royal, Jake Tilson, Jess Wilson, Jessie Cave, Joe Lycett, Joe Webb, Joss Fenn, Kid Acne, K Young, Louise Colbourne, Lucy Sparrow, Magda Archer, Mark Denton, Mark Pawson, Michael Leigh, Michelle Thompson, Modern Toss, Paul Burgess, Paul Slater, Peter Quinnell, Phill Jupitus, Rob Ryan, Russell Marshall, Samuel Coleman, Sam Mckechnie, Sarah Maple, Shuby, Tom Adams, William Kingett and Winnie Hall.
According to Plato, all artistic creation is an act of mimesis, or re-presentation. From still-life to selfies, is it not the role of an apprentice to imitate a master - be that nature, God, or the biggest animation studio in history? Walt Disney’s oeuvre remains a draw for budding artists of all ages, from crayon chewing kiddies to art school rebels, albeit with a reputation for fierce protection of copyright - going so far as to sue children’s nurseries for painting unapproved murals. - Excerpt from text by Bren O’Callaghan
In the words of the prophet, “Oh Mickey, you’re so fine, you’re so fine you blow my mind”, Toni Basil, Mickey (1981).”
Text by Bren O’Callaghan
Yet bootleg and off-brand Disney is deeply entrenched in our cultural landscape - evident in the fleets of ice-cream vans illustrated with beloved, but not-quiteright characters, kebab shops endorsed by Aladdin, or Lilo & Stitch beach towels at the outdoor market. These ain’t big business counterfeiters, but draw upon a shared lexicon of visual identifiers that evade sole ownership - innocence, nostalgia, Americana, a universal childhood and painkilling fantasy. - Excerpt from text by Bren O’Callaghan
#notquitedisney treads the same path of those homemade, hedgehog cake abominations; created with the best of intentions and perfectly edible, but somehow off-target: populating an Island of Dr Moreau with animal-humanoid rejects. It’s the M&S vs ALDI caterpillar cake bust-up, and we claim religious freedom to worship at the altar of the mouse by affectionately copying and colouring in. - Excerpt from text by Bren O’Callaghan
Magda Archer
Artist, Curator
Magda Archer is London-based artist renowned for work that combines nostalgic paintings with raw, contemporary turns of phrase. Archer (b. 1964) studied at Ravensbourne College of Art, Chelsea School of Art, the Royal College of Art before co-founding the illustration duo Archer/Quinell, which rose to critical and commercial acclaim from 1988 to 1998. Since her first solo exhibition ‘Crazy Mad’ at The Cornerhouse, Manchester in 2011, Archer has shown across the UK and abroad including in ‘Peter Blake: About Collages’ at Tate Liverpool (2000) and her breakthrough exhibition #givemeeverythingandnothingbaby at HOME, Manchester and Chapter Arts, Cardiff (2015). Her renowned public posters for Flying Leaps immediately become recognisable landmarks in London’s urban landscape. On a global scale, Archer collaborates with major fashion designers, including her recent project Magda Archer x The Marc Jacobs and previous work with Commes des Garçons and Jenny Packham.
