John Wesley : The Henry Ford Syndrome

16 Sep-22 Oct 2016

Overview

Waddington Custot is pleased to present a solo exhibition of paintings and painted objects by the Los Angeles born artist John Wesley (b.1928). The above quote describes what Wesley coined ‘The Henry Ford Syndrome’ and refers to the rhythmic pattern of repetition throughout his work. As Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev remarked ‘repetition characterises modern life, rational thinking and serial, standardized production’ [2]. It is through repetition of motif, within and across Wesley’s paintings, that his surreal scenarios are constructed. The exhibition will examine the graphic language and varied iconography used across his work from a fifty year period, with many of the works shown in London for the first time.