Kelly-Anne Davitt at Black's, Soho

Kelly-Anne Davitt at Black's, Soho

08 April, 2010
by: Spoonfed Arts Team

Wonderful paintings in a Soho private members' club. Spoonfed has the key.

Rarely does Spoonfed champion private members' clubs (in public at least – secretly we bloody love that smug sense of velvety exclusivity) but every now and again we fee a duty to let you know about something taking place behind these locked and brass-plaqued doors.

Feel Good is an exhibition of new paintings by contemporary London-based artist Kelly-Anne Davitt currently taking place at Soho members' institution Black's. Upstairs in plushly exotic surroundings hang five paintings and a work in neon. The paintings all depict the same girl – an ivory-skinned, raven-haired, blush-cheeked beauty, from a wholesome world of furs, belts, bows and cardigans. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 1940s, in all its idealised glory.

And yet, there's something more here. These slick images are not simply reproductions of some halcyon era or a piece of retro vintage-boutique nostalgia. Produced by painstakingly building up thin layers of paint – the main painting took over eight months to complete – these works are multi-layered in terms of interpretation too. Is that face a little too perfect? That smile certainly seems a little forced.

And what are the aims of the images of this girl? Kelly herself says, “I see her as a generic smiling face, and the embodiment of a synthetic, unreachable feeling of good.” It is here I think that a sadness emerges – both for the girl depicted, who is forced to stand not as herself but as something (merely) generic, and for the viewer who is confronted with his/her own shortcomings in the face of such beauty.

This latter point is reinforced by the neon work which simply orders one, in no uncertain terms, to 'Feel Good'. Kelly explains that the idea came from an article in Good Housekeeping: “I saw in the corner of the pages there were small captions – 'look good', 'feel good' – like every page was telling you how to feel. I thought to express how humorous I found this I would make a big bold sign and light it up; changing it from something implicit and subtle to explicit and silly.”

Located on Dean Street, Black's is a wonderful little place – old village pub downstairs and dandy lounge upstairs. Normally they won't let you in unless you're frightfully well connected (like us!) but get in touch with the lovely Hannah and she'll make sure you're allowed in. Beautiful, intriguing art in lovely surroundings, with perhaps a wee G&T if you're lucky: who could ask for more?

'Feel Good' is at Black's, Dean Street until 19th April 2010. To book an appointment ring Hannah Watson on 020 7729 6591 and mention Spoonfed.

Spoonfed Arts Team