Simon Hollington presents a solo exhibition of drawing at The Smithfield Gallery,
London from 14th October to 7th November 2009.
These drawings depict the first earthlings ever to venture into space. Taken
from contemporary documentation, they employ the backdrop of early space
exploration to observe our difficult relationship with the animals that are mans
nearest biological relatives.
For many, the conquest of space is still seen as the pinnacle of human
achievement with 2009 marking the fortieth anniversary of mans historic
landing on the moon. However, Hollington reminds us that outer space was
experienced for the first time by a hominid (or great ape) on January 31, 1961,
when Chimp 65 made a flight lasting 16 minutes and 39 seconds. When he
returned alive he was renamed HAM and became an overnight media
sensation.
HAM has been called ‘The first American in outer space’, event though HAM was
born and captured in Cameroon. HAM has also been called ‘the first astronaut’
as he was not only a passenger, but also carried out basic operations he was
trained for.
In these startling realistic drawings, Hollington reminds us that these earthlings
went into space before humans, scientifically and culturally paving the way for
manned space flight. In many ways, it may be said that they are the ones that
defined the 20th century. The subject matter moves from extreme
sentimentality to dark, questionably abusive scenes of human-animal
interaction, leaving the viewer to judge the ethical and scientific significance of
these first ever space explorers.
For more information and images: www.electronicsunset.org
Further press information:
Caroline Gaskin Cultural Management Ltd
Vivienne Modarressy-Tehrani, Caroline MT Public Relations
tel: + 44 7921 062494
Vivienne@viviennegaskin.com
email: carolinemt@hotmail.co.uk
07950 328 112
The Smithfield Gallery 16-18 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9HQ
Opening hours:10-6pm Monday to Saturday
info@thesmithfieldgallery.com / 0207 489 7549
14th October – 7th November 2009
Private View: 13th October 6-9pm
