CHRISTOPHER ORCHARD

19 July - 07 August 2008
Doppel

The stocky bald man of a certain age dressed in a dark suit is the leading man in Christopher Orchard’s work. Like De Niro and Scorsese, Orchard and his bald man have an enduring association. Initially Orchard used a broader range of figures but these have been refined and modified until all that is left is this man. He represents the every man, and functions as a vehicle for the artist to explore universal themes of humanity.

The suited protagonist is unnamed in an unplaceable location. Many charcoals and canvases see him traversing a barren landscape: only flat earth and sky. Orchard’s mastery of the moody medium of charcoal allows him to draw, rub away, re-draw until an atmospheric and highly energized surface is achieved. In the last exhibition, gale force winds and moody skies created a sense of uncertainty and difficulty for the protagonist. At times they were spot-lit and tones were darker.

In this exhibition of new work we see an outdoor theatre. Punchinello squats, kneels and paints in the sunlight. In many drawings Orchard adds the crutch as a new prop. After the artist came across a 17th century etching by Jacques Callot of a hunchback walking on crutches Orchard was inspired to make the series Callot Variations. Crutches are props in this painted performance. Today he is not fighting against the forces of wind, but a failing body. Again we see man’s vulnerability and his tenacity in the face of physical adversity.

Where Fred Cress’ men are bacchanalian and Garry Shead’s are romantic, Orchard’s figures are held in a tableau vivant with a fixed gaze, expressionless. Are they lost in thought? Orchard hints at the futility of man’s efforts. Grown men wading through thigh-high water (Water, 2006), playing tug-of-war (Taut, 2007) and astride hobby horses (Equus,2008) are viewed with humour and a degree of absurdity. What interests Orchard are the ambitions and follies of men. We are not to take these characters or ourselves too seriously.

 

CATALOGUE OF WORKS
45 Degrees
Christopher Orchard 45 Degrees 2008 acrylic on canvas 15.5 x 15.5 cm SOLD
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90 Degrees
Christopher Orchard 90 Degrees 2008 acrylic on canvas 15.5 x 15.5 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 14
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 14 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 13 cm
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Callot Variation 15
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 15 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 15 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 15
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 15 2008 acrylic on canvas 61 x 45 cm
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Callot Variation 16
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 16 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm
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Callot Variation 17
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 17 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 13 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 18
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 18 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 13 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 19
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 19 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 13 cm
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Callot Variation 20
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 20 2008 charcoal on sized paper 17 x 15 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 21
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 21 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 22
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 22 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 23
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 23 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm
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Callot Variation 24
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 24 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm SOLD
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Callot Variation 25
Christopher Orchard Callot Variation 25 2008 charcoal on sized paper 19 x 15 cm SOLD
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Clear
Christopher Orchard Clear 2008 pastel on paper 155 x 107.6 cm
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Crouch
Christopher Orchard Crouch 2008 acrylic on canvas 20.5 x 20.5 cm SOLD
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DeChirico's Dream
Christopher Orchard DeChirico's Dream 2008 acrylic on canvas 20.5 x 20.5 cm
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Diagonal
Christopher Orchard Diagonal 2008 pastel on paper 155 x 107.6 cm
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Doppel
Christopher Orchard Doppel 2008 acrylic on canvas 36 x 25.5 cm
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Equus
Christopher Orchard Equus 2007 acrylic on canvas 137 x 183 cm
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Estragon's Dream
Christopher Orchard Estragon's Dream 2008 charcoal on paper 107.6 x 85 cm
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Fold
Christopher Orchard Fold 2008 acrylic on canvas 20.5 x 20.5 cm SOLD
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Green Room II
Christopher Orchard Green Room II 2008 acrylic on canvas 102 x 92 cm
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Horizon IV
Christopher Orchard Horizon IV 2008 charcoal on paper 77 x 57 cm
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Levitation
Christopher Orchard Levitation 2008 charcoal on paper 77 x 57 cm
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Mr Punch and the Professor
Christopher Orchard Mr Punch and the Professor 2008 charcoal on paper 33 x 25.5 cm SOLD
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Polemic
Christopher Orchard Polemic 2008 acrylic on canvas 15.5 x 15.5 cm SOLD
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Polemic I
Christopher Orchard Polemic I 2008 charcoal on paper 30 x 24 cm SOLD
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Stalled
Christopher Orchard Stalled 2008 acrylic on canvas 61 x 45 cm
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Stasis
Christopher Orchard Stasis 2008 charcoal on paper 33 x 25 cm
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Suspended
Christopher Orchard Suspended 2008 acrylic on canvas 15.5 x 15.5 cm SOLD
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The Citizen
Christopher Orchard The Citizen 2008 charcoal on paper 27 x 24 cm
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The Collector
Christopher Orchard The Collector 2008 acrylic on canvas 36 x 25.5 cm
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The Model
Christopher Orchard The Model 2008 charcoal on paper 155 x 107.6 cm
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The Set
Christopher Orchard The Set 2008 charcoal on paper 34 x 26 cm
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Theatre
Christopher Orchard Theatre 2008 charcoal on paper 77 x 57 cm SOLD
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Uneven Ground
Christopher Orchard Uneven Ground 2008 charcoal on paper 155 x 107.6 cm
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