The life of a Mudlark

THE LIFE OF A MUDLARK. EMMA BRIGGS AND MATTHEW COLLINGS COLLABORATE ON PAINTINGS AND MOSAICS AND BRING BACK A BIT OF LONDON TOWNS BACKWATER BLUES.

'Mudlark' is showing new work by Emma Briggs and Matthew Collings. This exhibition, at Charlie Dutton Gallery, down near the dimly lit Red Lion Street, holds the premise to illuminate the art of contemplation. Collings' and Briggs' work has involved months of excavating crockery and old smoke-able pipes found on the shores, banks and the bed of the river Thames. Which Briggs has put together in a resonating format to create two mosaics and a sculpture involving pipes and string. At 8.30 p.m., there was an empty bottle of wine between me and Osian and still an empty wall  which I had earlier been told was expecting a painting. Minutes  on-and another glass of wine- the painting arrives with Matthew Collings. In an aesthetic echo of music, the colours and  3 dimensional shapes of the mosaics, and the sculpture, are mirrored in Matthew Collings' painting. This exhibition although quite simple has a unique and plain charm of ephemerality.  Plans are made to move on into the night. Me and Osian are overjoyed with our evening of red red wine and art chat and head to our local 'spoons to muse tomorrow. 

'Mudlark' is showing at Charlie Dutton Gallery from the 13th-23rd October. 
2010.

Phoebe Davenport, Artist, London.