As Iron House officially reopens after over 4 months closed, the directors are pleased to announce a new exhibition with our new artist-in-residence for the 2020/2021 year Russell Bamber. As Russell says his work is there to agitate a space; to bring unexpected joy and dynamism to our lives. He creates sculptures that teeter on the edge of design, painting and architecture bringing a new and exciting twist to the space they occupy.

From the Peanut Factory in Hackney Wick, East London, Russell Bamber is making sculptures that flirt with function, cavort with scale and frolic with surface. He has an eloquence, confidence and originality with form, material and colour that teases, amuses and beguiles.

Simple forms are extruded, distorted and butted to expand the space they occupy and challenge logic. Each facet collides with the next at perpendicular angles. Size and configuration are exaggerated and misconstrued by colour and reflection. Planes and form interplay and confuse the eye.

Within the complexity of colour the simplicity of form acts as a vehicle that shouts of the hierarchy of sculpture but whispers of the utilitarian function. The viewer is enticed on a journey of questioning, unsure quite which discipline his sculptures occupy. Are they sculpture, painting, design or architecture?

Russell sees his work as sculptures. Form is primary, colour secondary and function . . . way down the list but crucial to his thinking. The absurdity of a decision is often his reason for that decision.

The exhibition is being held at Iron House Gallery from 21st August – 30th July 2021, and is open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. Free to attend.