Peter Monkman: Changing Face

Monday 23 June 2008

Monkman questions the notion of a fixed identity of the face through painting portraits of people, young and old, from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds. The exhibition presents portraits of pupils from Wrenn School, a Comprehensive in Northamptonshire, Charterhouse, and archival portraits from Charterhouse. The grouping together of these portraits provides an opportunity to view the faces on a ‘level playing field’ where the pupils from State and Private sectors, past and present, converge. By making reference to the now discounted Victorian studies physiognomy which attempted to codify and categorise through photography, Monkman questions how facial characteristics can reveal certain types. The exhibition also draws together portraits from his family which provide more personal interpretations of the portrait. As an addition Monkman has been creating simple animations which attempt to breathe life in to changing faces from the past and present.

Peter Monkman is currently Director of Art at Charterhouse having practised as an artist and taught in the Sate Sector for 16 years. He has recently exhibited at the Watts Gallery and the Jerwood Drawing Award and in the past has regularly featured in the BP Portrait Award.