Art

Exhibition of the month — Byroglyphics

Lauren Down | Thursday 2 December, 2010 20:31

Invigorating, brooding and underscored by a subtle sensuality Russ Mills’, aka Byroglyphics’, exhibition at the recently re-located Signal Gallery is a dynamic blend of digital art, painted surfaces and urban graffiti.

Having only begun exhibiting solo in 2008, his current show seems effortlessly curated as it ranges from physically hand-made collages to more mechanically generated impressions.

Confessing that his “inner demons” occupy his artistic output, Byroglyphics’ work swirls with menacing colours, and a frantic urgency. An essence particularly notable on works such as Disengage, one of the larger canvases featured towards the end of the tunnel-esque room, (and featured above), with its unruly enamel and acrylic constructed monochromatic hair rising as if it were smoke from the harrowing, yet confidently poised face below.

Violent and sensual elements in his work really seem to rise to the surface in the striking, graphically, hand-produced and digitally enhanced Neff, as the female figure seems to rise as if a phoenix from the flames. Where as the miniature works on recycled newspaper, such as Salvia, offer a more personal, honest and almost glamorous side to the artist’s work.

Whether using purely digital methods or a combination of manual techniques, Byroglyphics’ output is compelling and introspective, and as such his fluid surfaces are infused with a sense of mystery and melancholy. Hinged on white walls, the Signal Gallery’s underground space is the perfect enclosed environment for the overwhelmingly powerful and consuming works of Russ Mills.

Signal Gallery, 32 Paul Street, Old Street, EC2A 3AA
www.signalgallery.com

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