Play of Shapes

This exhibition is in part a response to our designed world and to portents of change in its’ foundations. Considering the persistent legacy of the early 20^th Century experiments with ‘Essential Form’ and abstraction which once represented the hope of ‘a new belief to come’ *, the exhibition explores the potential of a simple visual vocabulary to address a contemporary experience which seems to rest on less confident foundations.

 The work shown uses hybrid found or invented shapes derived from geometric forms as its core ingredients, combining and re-casting these as allusive and emotive visual actors within the illusions of pictorial space. This ‘play of shapes’ is coloured by observation, memory and art history to form allegories suggesting alternate states, both temporal and metaphysical.

Over 18 months of working at HAUSPRINT, relief print has become a focus. The qualities of humble materials and their qualities were exploited and refined in many experiments addressing the act of printing. Balance and disruption; control and improvisation and abstraction and representation play their part in addressing both personal and more universal themes.  

About Tim

Tim Foxen trained in fine art and has an MA in the history of art. He has had a long career within art and design education, while maintaining a creative practice throughout. In recent years Tim undertook print courses at Morley College, and this opened-up new avenues for exploration which led him to join HAUSPRINT in 2024.

*Walter Gropius.  Bauhaus manifesto. 1919