Following the launch and rapturous reception of The Gourmand food and culture journal last month, an exhibition in its honour lands at Shoreditch’s Protein Gallery this week. It offers up a chance to step inside the magazine and take a stroll around, with images from the magazine’s pages strewing the walls of the intimate gallery space.
The journal brims with epicurean imagery ranging from photographs of lascivious close ups of slippery octopus tentacles to gums-bearing crocodiles ravaging hunks of prey. All of the works have been created by renowned printer, Brian Dowling, at BDI and are available for purchase.
The magazine’s editors, Marina Tweed and David Lane, have been open-minded in their approach to curating their artwork. With the broad umbrella of food as a concept they have been given the free reign to bring together a disparate group of creatives who have all brought something unique to the abundant table of visual delicacies.
Hyper-coloured, scientific style porn-leaning close ups on food come courtesy of Gustav Almestal, a Swedish photographer with a signature intimate style. He’ll prove that mundane fridge gatherings of Camembert, butter or fruit can take on a sexual life of their own when subjected to the right smutty gaze.
Jamie Brown, a multi-disciplinary designer from London, teamed up with still life photographer Luke Kirwan to work on representing various design movements of the 20th century with food. The result is a hilariously kitsch selection of images in which plastic plates topped with carefully constructed Party Rings and spam creations pay homage to the pair’s beloved art scenes.
Paolo di Lucente is a photographer from Rome currently living in the States. His photographs of classic New York diners depict a Hopper-esque uncharacteristic melancholy in the settings.
These images will sit alongside many more from the likes of French illustrator Yann Le Bec , street photographer Sat Bulsara and creator of architectural drawings Thibaud Herem.
At the heart of the exhibition there will also be a specially designed dining table and chairs (naturally!). They are the creation of Jean Jullien, a French graphic designer living and working in London. His practice is decidedly multimedia, ranging from illustration to photography, video, costume and installation. ‘Table Man’ will be able to seat sixteen diners and is also available for purchase.
But before Table Man leaves the building he will bear witness to what look set to be some legendary supper clubs accompanying the exhibition. Next Wednesday Rita’s Bar and Dining will be taking over proceedings with a bespoke four-course menu designed by Gabriel Pryce, Jackson Boxer and Phoebe Oliver. This will be followed on the Thursday and Friday with offerings from Corner Room’s Nuno Mendes.
The Gourmand exhibition will bring together some of life’s basest of pleasures. Stroll amongst feasts for the eyes and join in the collective rejoicing of the best kind of feast – the feast for the belly.
The Gourmand Exhibition will take place at 18 Hewett Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3NN, from 21 February-3 March. For more on The Gourmand visitthegourmand.co.uk.
