Subverting Surface

Subverting Surface redefines the relationship between artist, material, and viewer. Within this exhibition, paper transforms into more than a passive backdrop; it becomes the very essence of the artworks themselves. The featured artists harness the inherent qualities of the materiality of paper, allowing it to transcend its usual role. These works inhabit the space they occupy, transforming surface and materiality into a dynamic, expressive medium. The texture, weight, and dimensions of the surface are explored in ways that compel viewers to engage with its materiality on a profound level. This exhibition dares to subvert the traditional boundaries of “works on paper” by reimagining the surface as not merely a canvas but a dynamic, living entity with its own presence and power. Essay by Dr Tim Mosely and curated by Emily Parker