In the yearly compilation by Griffin Gallery and Charlie Smith London, ‘Young Gods’ 2016 showcases the latest from new graduates selected from London’s art colleges, with each gallery presenting a distinctive curatorial approach for the eight artists’ work. Ends 19/20 February 2016.

“Young Gods” shows 2015’s “most exciting art graduates”

The line between East and West London converges to a point for eight artists in the latest edition of “Young Gods“, the exhibition that brings together a handful of new BAs and MA/MFAs from the capital’s art schools to Griffin Gallery in W11 and Charlie Smith in EC1.  Curated by Zavier Ellis, director of Charlie Smith, “Young Gods” has, since 2010, assembled a collection of London’s “most exciting graduates” to showcase the work of contemporary artists from the likes of UAL, RCA, and City & Guilds.

“Young Gods” 2016 comprises a unique vision that includes eight makers this year:  Asmaa Alanbari, Kirsty Andrew, Alexandra Berg, Lorraine Fossi, Christopher Gray, Laura O’Neill, J  Price, and Tess Williams, whose work is treated with a different curatorial aspect in each of the two locations.

Lorraine Fossi, ‘Panopticon’, 2016, mixed media on canvas, tape, plastic mirror, magnets, screws, in ‘Young Gods’ 2016 at Griffin Gallery, London. Photo credit Kelise Franclemont.

J Price, ‘adeclarationandamanifsto/butyoujustsawsex’, 2015, hand-carved letters printed onto curtain liner, in ‘Young Gods’ 2016 at Griffin Gallery, London. Photo credit Kelise Franclemont.

Griffin Gallery provides an overview of widely-ranging practice including wall-based work that might be described as “painting” or “print-making” and three-dimensional things that we could call “sculpture”, as well as video art and photography. The series of photographic self-portraits (are they self-portraits?) by Asmaa Alanbari seemed to pose questions about personal identity and sharing the self in this global Internet society: what do we show to the world and what do we keep inside?

Then Kirsty Andrew’s congress of stiffened old-lady draperies were so intent on gossip to the exclusion of the broody midnight-stained canvas assemblage behind them, that I was intrigued; I leant in and thought I might hear what they were nattering about and at the same time discover by what were they hung, which, of course, was not a thing.

As I examined Andrew’s knot of sentinel tights pertly guarding a corner, I wondered about the exhibition title, “Young Gods”… is it meant to imply a certain attitude in the invincibility of youth, the works themselves which hint at the sublime, or is it simply aspirational, a status that many new art graduates ought hope to achieve?

In any case, celestial sightings as these are only temporary and you can witness them for yourself at Griffin Gallery until 19 February 2016, which leaves “Young Gods” at Charlie Smith London for another day (ends 20 February 2016).

More links and information about ‘Young Gods’

• Find out more about ‘Young Gods’ at Griffin Gallery, London – 14 January to 19 February 2016
• View/download Young Gods Griffin Gallery exhibit guide [PDF], London
• Visit ‘Young Gods’ at Charlie Smith, London – 15 January to 20 February 2016.

Exhibition details: “Young Gods” is on at Charlie Smith London, 336 Old Street, 2nd Floor, EC1V 9DR from 15 January to 20 February 2016 and at Griffin Gallery, The Studio Building, 21 Evesham Street, London, W11 4AJ from 14 January to 19 February 2016. Free admission, step-free access.