After 25 years devoted to the patient and incremental development of a practice of reductive, self-referential process-based painting, Butcher’s work changed dramatically in 2020. “Confronted by the devastating impact of human behaviour on the planet, my former studio practice began to seem deeply problematic and self-indulgent. What was it that my work consisted of but taking precious resources and turning them into useless objects?”
A process of investigation into the parameters of his own practice, and an attempt at its systematic deconstruction ensued. He pulled his previous works apart, both intellectually and physically, peeling the skins of paint from their supports and categorising them according to a basic taxonomy. In so doing he subjected his entire practice to a sort of forensic examination. The resulting skins, fragments and traces of paint are presented sandwiched between sheets of glass like specimens. They provide a record or index of past artistic endeavours, a ‘natural history’ of his creative self.
Endgame is the modus operandi of all Butcher’s current and future creative work. He has committed to use only those materials already available in the studio; using up, repurposing and recycling what he already has without consuming more. He will draw out his use of currentresources for as long as possible, being as frugal as he can and when he has run out of materials he will simply stop making art.
Shadow Archive will be the first opportunity to see an extensive range of works from this new and challenging series.
Shadow Archive press release
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