"London-based painter Georg Wilson debuts “Mad Pursuit,” her anticipated solo show at Berntson Bhattacharjee, coinciding with the opening of the gallery’s first permanent location in the heart of the city.
Inspired by the ever-changing English seasons, the exhibition showcases an extensive collection of works that were specifically created for the arrival of spring. Each room tells a unique story, drawing on diverse sources such as matchmaking customs, love songs and literature from pre-Christian times to 16th-century England.
As viewers walk through the space, they are transported into Wilson’s peculiar narratives that walk the fine line between intimacy and violence, evoking a sense of intrigue and wonder. Wilson’s largest paintings to date, along with a collection of intimate drawings, are on display, featuring creaturely characters that leave a lasting impression with their hairy, clawed bodies and deep, dark animal eyes.
The paintings draw heavily from Thomas Wyatt’s poetry, renowned for its subtle layers of meaning. Each work is multi-interpretable, with intricate details such as a sly eye or outstretched finger adding to their complexity. Wilson’s characters are more creaturely than gendered, giving them a unique autonomy and weight that is not solely for the viewer’s pleasure.
Georg Wilson’s “Mad Pursuit” exhibition is on view at Berntson Bhattacharjee Gallery in London until May 20."
