Stuart Shave / Modern Art is proud to announce the opening of ‘Monster Field’, an exhibition of new large scale enamel on aluminium works by the British painter Clare Woods, in her third solo show with the gallery.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is the horizon-like painting from which the show takes its name. Comprised of seamlessly joined panels, and at over 7 metres in length, ‘Monster Field’ commands the gallery space at Eastcastle Street. Painted in enamel, the deep dark tones of this epic work draw us into its surface, only for us to find ourselves confronted by our own reflection. Traversing one entire wall from end to end, ‘Monster Field’ possesses a presence that Woods describes as “sculptural…”, in that “the viewer cannot absorb the surface in one take.”

Throughout the remainder of her work, Woods depicts scenes of depopulated spaces. Overgrown pathways, abandoned dirt tracks and dark lakes encroached on by bowing branches all provide us with the haunting idea that something ominous has happened or is about to happen. The absence of human activity in the paintings leads our minds in directions that confirm the tradition of nature as a site and force of violence. In a historical sense, these empty spaces tell stories of the post-industrial age.

For the artist however, her re-readings of the British landscape do not solely concern desolation. The almost fluorescent use of colour that Woods chooses to illustrate a traditionally dark subject matter suggests celebration. Woods describes a duality in these locations that offer a place “where someone might be conceived and, as likely… might expire.” It is this sense of the contested in these paintings that draw us into the works.

Whereas British landscape once spoke of the mythic and Romantic, Clare Woods paints us an alternative view of this history that is both subtle and powerful. The works in this show are a depiction of Britain, painted by an artist from the rural depths of her studio close to Wales, where nature becomes an allegory for toughness. Their content is articulated with ease, as Woods captures a culture in transition merely by speaking through landscape.

Clare Woods (b.1972) lives and works in London and Herefordshire. She studied at Bath College of Art (1991-94) and Goldsmiths College (1997-99). She has exhibited in the UK, Europe and America. Solo shows include ‘Deaf Man’s House’ at Chisenhale Gallery, London (2006) and ‘New Paintings’ at Southampton City Art Gallery (1997). She was shortlisted for the Beck’s Futures prize in 2001. She currently has one of her most significant paintings ‘Rock Of The Night’ – a major 10 metre long multi-panelled enamel on aluminium work - on display as part of the permanent collection at Arken Museum for Moderne Kunst, Copenhagen. She has also recently completed a painting for the Arts Council Collection. Concurrent to her exhibition at Modern Art, she has a solo presentation of new work at New Art Centre in Salisbury, Wiltshire that runs 27 September – 16 November 2008.

Please contact Ilsa Colsell for further information at ilsa@modernart.net