2008 was a good year for contemporary video and film artist Giles Ripley. His work was included in (among others) Xhibit 2008 at
SaLon Gallery, Anticipation 2008 at
Selfridge's and Best in Show at
John Jones Project Space.
Ripley writes, films and edits his work almost completely by himself, a fact he attributes to time and money constraints. Lack of time, money and inspiration are the major themes of short film,
My Mate Dave for example. And although the Calvino-esque self-referential thing could grate, in Ripley's hands it's actually seems effortless, and it's very funny.