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ANDREW CARNIE - "10 TO THE 15" (1994)

I imagine that it’s Andrew Carnie’s accomplished educational history which has lead to him becoming such a creative and capable artist. His extensive studies into both science and art – chemistry, painting, fine art and psychology specifically - seem to have fuelled him with streams of compelling ideas, as well as the means and innovation to translate them into provocative and assertive artistic pieces.

For “Dendritic Forms”, Carnie delves into the parallels between organic matter and the human body, with particular attention paid to the aesthetic similarities between the body and trees. This seemed to take a more explicit form in his earlier work on display here – “Dispose”, “Seed”, “10 to the 15” – with human organs clearly depicted and overlaid with streams of beautifully networked veins/branches spilling over the edges, or lungs and kidneys shaped and etched into prints of rich autumnal leaves and trees.

Also present here is Carnie’s “Magic Forest”, which quietly cycles in a dark room off to the side of the main exhibition, consisting of two projectors either side of a set of staggered translucent drapes. Projections of thin, writhing neurones echo like holograms across the series of veils, with haunting shapes unfolding and drifting in and out of the chlorophyll mist, pouring onto the surrounding walls. The piece shifts over time, fading between sparse landscapes and a tangled mass of fluorescent activity, each progression announced by the soft click-snap conversation between the two projectors.

ANDREW CARNIE - "TREE PEARL" (2010)

I was most intrigued by the more complex nature of his recent work – “Autumn Twist”, “Tree Pearl” – with dramatic vortex swirls and abstract forms, barely contained within the untidy ovals of heads and seeds, all detailed in gorgeously organic pink shades. Are these digging deeper into more complicated science, or addressing the same issue with a more instinctively expressive and artistic approach? Andrew is due to hold a talk at the GV Art gallery on August 12^th during which he will most likely clarify his perspective for the more scientifically naïve minds like my own. Also partaking in the talk is scientist Richard Wingate, who will no doubt uncover the extensive scientific significance of what is a fascinating exhibition regardless. I strongly recommended you attend.