11 March - 24 April 2005

Painting is cruel refers to a discussion with the artists taking part in this exhibition. Having chosen to work in a medium loaded with history and excellence, the artists have also to face the whims of trends, the competition of new media and are challenged to convey the contemporary, the social and the political in a medium often considered not suitable for the task.

Glauce Cerveira feeds her concepts with images found on the internet. She works out problems both in painting and digitally, allowing the digital images to interfere in the paintings, and vice versa.

Katie Deith uses popular imagery found in travel magazines to create fantasy worlds responding to our need for escapism. Artifice and illusion serve a shifted reality.

Theo Kaccoufa delights in making poetic sculpture. His insight into the natural world is revealed by forming painted lines in space.

Gerry Smith paints with pleasure and sensuality the subtleties of urban living. The social is addressed symbolically and humour is de rigueur.