Sequential City. The psychology of architecture in contemporary graphic novels

Just a short walk behind the Design Museum is Anise Gallery, a small gallery with a specific bias towards architectural artworks (Please, check video below), will show us an interesting exhibition, on February 6th.- "The psychology of architecture in contemporary graphic novels," with works by Owen D. Pomery, Alison Sampson, Lando, Hannah Berry, John Riordan & Tim Bird.

The graphic narratives about architecture, exceeding the pre-construction process are not new, but always are furiously interesting. The exhibition in Anise Gallery, if you're in London, do not miss it!

Sequential City examines the idea of the city through the art of the graphic novel. Original sketches, layers of colour, boxes, panels and strips–the parts the public don’t normally get to see – will be exhibited alongside finished art works. This eclectic exhibition explores the affect architecture has on our mental functions and behaviours through the medium of illustration. Drawing allows us to make sense of the world and through Sequential City we can see how these artists view the modern metropolis.

Anise Gallery brings together the work of 6 artists for whom architecture is an important element in their work; Owen D. Pomery, Alison Sampson, Lando, Hannah Berry, John Riordan & Tim Bird. Alison Sampson’s work for the graphic novella, Genesis presents a flowing, dream like scape while maintaining the architectural rigidity of the city. The elaboration and colour from Sampson contrasts starkly with Owen D. Pomery’s monochrome, reductive style. The thoughts and actions of Pomery’s cloistered main character from Between the Billboards are echoed seamlessly by his simple transformative line work. Similarly, John Riordan’s graphic poem Capital City mirrors style to content. It concerns itself with the city in crisis – his psychedelic, orgiastic depictions of people in the melee of city life are as provocative as the looming city sky line which towers menacingly above them. All of these artists share a concern for life in the city and the architecture which influences our existence.

By examining architecture through sequential drawings we can bridge the gap that exists between the construction of our world and our daily experience of it. These images complete the circle from the initial architect’s sketches of a structure to an artist’s perception of the same construction within their story. The psychology of architecture in contemporary graphic novels is illustrated through the words and images of these artists and they hope it will cause you to rethink the city in which you live.

Venue.- 13a Shad Thames. London SE1 2PU. UK.
When.- 6 February to 15 March, 2015

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Jacquelyn Jubert. Joseph Robson Anise Gallery

Since opening in March 2012, Anise Gallery has focussed on promoting art and architecture as a joint artistic discipline. Through a programme of curated exhibitions Anise Gallery has quickly made a name for itself within the local art and architecture community. The work displayed in the gallery often extends to practices associated to architecture such as illustration and photography. Working closely, both in the sense of shared space and interest, with architectural illustrators AVR London, the gallery exhibits chosen artists that capture architecture through a variety of artistic forms.

The gallery is located in a former spice warehouse along historical Shad Thames. Although refurbished, the directors Jacquelyn and Joseph have ensured that many of the original features are retained and revealed. The industrial heritage of the building is very much evident to visitors, and provides an appropriate backdrop to the artwork.

Jacquelyn Jubert // Founder. After studying History of Modern Art at the University of Manchester Jacquelyn managed a small gallery in Surrey before moving to London and working at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in Fitzrovia. In March 2012 after extensive renovation of the historic Thames side warehouse, Jacquelyn established Anise Gallery with Joseph Robson. Alongside exhibition planning, discovering new artists and attending national and international art fairs, Jacquelyn works at CZWG Architects where she is executive assistant to renowned architect Piers Gough. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Joseph Robson // Co Founder and Owner of AVR London. Joseph Robson studied architecture at the University of Bath before working at the Centre for Advanced Studies in Architecture (CASA) researching 3D modelling, virtual reality and historical reconstruction. His MPhil thesis ’Computer Investigations into Renaissance Art and Architecture’ was published in 1996 and he is currently writing his doctoral thesis on the use of illustration within architecture. Joseph moved to London in 1998 to become Head of Computer Generated Images at Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, where he worked on projects including the Eden Centre, St Botolph’s House and Bath Spa. He established AVR London in 2006 and has since worked with some of the world’s most celebrated architects.

Joseph has had work exhibited at the RIBA, Royal Academy, Somerset House and the Sorbonne. Alongside running AVR London he is currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Bath and lecturer on The Cities Programme at the London School of Economics, he is also a Fellow of the Society of Architectural Illustration where he has held the position of President since 2011. AVR London acquired the Anise warehouse in 2011 and Joseph’s input in artwork selection is key to the gallery’s ethos.

Heather Gray // Gallery Manager. Heather studied Fine Art (sculpture) at IADT, Dun Laoghaire in Ireland. Graduating from the BA(HONS) course in 2010 with a First Class Honours degree, she went on to work as an artist as part of La Cathedral Gallery & Studios. Heather has exhibited widely, in places as far flung as Beijing, Sienna and Tipperary. In 2011, she made the move to China. She lived and worked in Hong Kong for over two years and in 2013 returned to Dublin to work at Science Gallery in Trinity College returning to Hong Kong to hold a solo exhibition, Eye in the Sky, at the Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre. Heather has been living in London since January 2014 where she has been curating shows and exhibiting her own work. In March of this year, she organised and curated Speculative Future, an exhibition which responded to the increasing use of science and technology in our lives. At Anise Gallery, Heather will help to expand the gallery programme and promote the gallery’s artists.