Abend Gallery proudly introduces "The Sleeping City," an evocative online solo exhibition by the accomplished British artist, Mark Harrison. 🌐Online-Only Exhibition🌐. Stepping into the showcase, premiering on October 14th, is like delving into the hauntingly quiet streets of a dream-suspended city. Drawing heavily from 1950s mythic America, it creates a tableau echoing a timeless Gotham City with touches of Edward Hopper's ambiance. Contrastingly juxtaposing humbler neighborhoods with glitzy downtown views, Harrison's artistry invites viewers to a silent realm, profound in secrets. A stalwart in Fantasy and Science Fiction illustration, Harrison's latest is an ode to mystery and retrospection.
Artist Statement
I've always been drawn to the mysterious essence in paintings and music, infusing that aura into my creations. Dreams often depict familiar places, but with eerie alterations—missing elements or misplaced items. I'm fond of indiscernible signage or unlit streetlights to evoke a sense of absence.
These cities I paint resonate with a deep silence, almost post-apocalyptic, or perhaps just peacefully asleep. My focus often lies on the less affluent neighborhoods, contrasted against the glamorous downtown scenes. They are set in the mythical 1950s America, reminiscent of TV programs I watched growing up in the UK during the 1960s. It's a blend of Edward Hopper and Gotham City nostalgia. -Mark Harrison