17th January 2008
Mike Harvey was picked out of an exhibition of young painters at the Arnolfini in Bristol in the late 1970's by the Sunday Telegraph art critic Michael Shepherd, as possibly 'a major talent'. 29 years later he is having his first solo exhibition in a commercial gallery.
Born in Bristol in 1946 Harvey left school without qualifications. His drawings won him a place on a commercial design course which he never completed. He then worked as an apprentice in the design studios of the Bristol printers E.S.A. Robinson, but soon left to work as a builder which he has done ever since.
Harvey has continued to draw and paint, although never full-time. He has exhibited and sold work from group shows at the Royal Academy, London and at Six Chapel Row in Bath but this exhibition, including paintings and drawings completed over the last ten years, provides the first opportunity to view a substantial collection of Harvey's work.
To some extent Harvey's strength lies in his choice of subject matter. He tackles difficult subjects head on - for example, 'Painting the Face of God', or 'Breaking down the Jew's door'. His style, which has been likened to that of the American painter Kitaj, combines powerful figurative drawing with bright colour. His works are complex figurative compositions, often providing a powerful comment on some aspect of contemporary life. 'Bad neighbour', a drawing in which one man pisses on another's leg, is a good example.
18 January - 12 February 2008
Chapel Row Gallery, 6 Chapel Row, off Queen Square, Bath BA1 1HN
