Berntson Bhattacharjee is pleased to present Metanoia, a solo exhibition of new paintings by William Farr, marking his first major presentation since graduating from the Royal College of Art’s MA Painting programme in 2024.
The exhibition takes its title from a term associated with “the changing of one’s mind”—a process of psychic breakdown, renewal, rebuilding, and healing. Metanoia reflects the evolution of Farr’s artistic practice, bringing together years of personal and creative exploration. It offers a space for reflection and deep engagement with these ongoing themes.
Rooted in Colour Field painting, Farr’s oil-on-linen works unfold through a dynamic process of layering and revision. Composed of delicate layers of pigment and medium, his paintings create shifting depths and tonal variations that respond to changes in light. His process alternates between fast, aggressive bursts of painting and periods of material testing at different scales before reapproaching the surface, emphasising subtle gradations of colour. Using a system of shuttered surfaces, he often discards works altogether, embracing a pared-back approach to partitioning space. Motif-like repetitions explore gravity, object-hood, and the interaction of colour.
Conceptualised in close dialogue with the gallery’s architecture, the exhibition is structured to guide the viewer’s experience. Large-scale, mirrored, window-like paintings line the gallery walls, leading visitors through the space and culminating in a folded, five-panel, altar-like work at the far end. The arrangement evokes a quiet sense of rhythm and structure, while benches positioned throughout the gallery invite extended viewing.
To maintain the exhibition’s contemplative atmosphere, viewing will be by appointment only, allowing for an unpressured and immersive encounter with the work. In place of a traditional opening reception, this approach encourages visitors to engage with the paintings on their own terms, drawing out personal connections and interpretations.
