RETRO PERSPECTIVE EXHIBITION IN BRISTOL
Retro Perspective – a new exhibition from Bristol photographer Mattko opens at The Bank, Stokes Croft, Bristol on Fri 11 March.
For over two decades Mattko has been making his own distinctive brand of social documentary reportage and portraiture. The work is part diary, part document, part citizen photojournalism and looks at music, protest, art and culture begun during the last recession of the previous Conservative regime, through New Labour and the invention of terrorism, to the current recession being managed by the Con Dem nation alliance.
The show will combine text and image in a potent mixture of visual storytelling that equates to a modern take on the idea of campfire history told with a uniquely Bristolian edge.
A small but carefully chosen edit from an extensive and unique body of work will be presented. The show will comprise of a selection of traditional silver gelatin black and white photographic archival prints, handmade by the artist; combined with a selection of modern archival digital black and white exhibition prints, echoing the transition in photographic practice that has occurred during the evolution of the work. As the work began in opposition to legislation introduced to criminalise aspects of culture in the early 90’s, the intention is also to highlight the same shit different day/govt nature of the issues that dominate the subject matter of the show by showing the work entirely in black and white.
In an era where corporate ownership of media, culture, society and politics has become an undeniable fact of life, Mattko has maintained an independence of vision and practice that has touched on many different aspects of popular culture. The personal poetic truth represented in his images is perhaps the only reliable form of photographic evidence that can be trusted in a media world dominated by PR, marketing and the need for maintenance of the status quo by the three failed UK management consultants who maintain a monopoly in the administration of power through government.
All prints are for sale, signed by the artist and available in a limited edition of 10 on 16 x12 paper. The traditional black and white prints will be for sale, signed, numbered and framed at a price of £200. The digital black and white exhibition prints will be for sale signed, numbered and framed for the price of £150.
The show runs from Fri 11 March – Mon 11 April at The Bank of Stokes Croft, Gloucester Rd, Bristol.
For further information on purchasing the work on show, contact mattkomatt@gmail.com or stealfromwork@gmail.com
