May 2, 2025 |
Isaac Andrews is moving way beyond his years. At only 22, the artist has opened his first solo gallery exhibition entitled Love Letters on Great Titchfield Street’s Noho Showrooms, on until May 5, curated by Dr. Matt Retallick. “I’ve almost finished my BA and am starting my Master’s in September,” Andrews explains, inadvertently highlighting how impressive it is he’s hitting these significant milestones so early in his career. “So, it felt the right time to do this show.”
Penned as “a comprehensive introduction to his artistic practice”, which is equal parts inspired by classical history and contemporary culture, Andrews is hopeful the display will be the perfect gateway for punters to learn more about its intricacies. “With this body of work, I wanted to zoom in a lot more, honing in on the moments of intimacy in the relationships [depicted in the work],” he says. “I think the works are [more] refined [than previous works] in that sense. These are a testament to the relationships in our lives, and I wanted to depict these idealised moments of intimacy as a reminder of the sanctity of the people around us. It’s a pretty simple message. I’m not trying to change the world, but it’s a message that I feel is very necessary, especially at the moment.”
Employing a collage-like composition that starts with Andrews giving his canvas a soft sepia wash, the paintings amalgamate real and imagined imagery. His pieces are spattered with motifs that hark back to a specific time (like marble sculptures from the Renaissance) as well as universal experiences that transcend time (like the relationships between parents and their children).
“Sometimes the jumping off point is a line in a song, or something from a film, or a sentence in a book,” Andrews says of his inspirations. “Other times, the starting point is someone I’ve seen while cycling to the studio. I’ll often make a note on my phone of the way someone’s stood or two people are interacting… I try to make [the figures featured in the paintings] as ambiguous as possible so that viewers can place themselves, or people they know, in these scenes. But I can never take myself and my own experiences out of it – it all comes from somewhere.”
Grief has heavily coloured Andrews’ work, too, with the artist losing two close friends in his lifetime, the most recent being just two years ago. “It makes you really consider those around you, and how important they are to you,” says Andrews. “[The pieces are] the most real; they’re rooted in something more important than just observation or documentation. It’s a reminder of the sanctity of the people in our lives and a celebration of those relationships. [It’s] a calling to cherish them.”
For Andrews, painting is at the heart of his practice, something he hopes will continue, but having already worked with the likes of Miu Miu and Converse, he wants to keep working in a fashion space. He also wishes to curate “more group shows” and is “writing a short film with a friend,” because why not? “I see my paintings as cinematic stills,” Andrews says. “So, filmmaking is an avenue I want to explore more.” Developing a practice steeped in intention and authentically exploring the human experience, the rise of Isaac Andrews is something we wouldn’t mind copping a ticket to.
Photography courtesy of Isaac Andrews.
