Saatchi Gallery Presents 4 New Sensations: Robert Sherwood

by pmaxwell, 1 October 2008

In 2007, the Saatchi Gallery and Channel 4 of London created the 4 New Sensations prize. This prize was developed in order to find the UK’s most talented and intriguing art students graduating from art school. After submitting their work to Saatchi online, four finalists out of twenty shortlisted students were chosen by judges from different realms of the art world: artist, Yinka Shonibare; Maureen Paley, founder of the Maureen Paley Gallery in London; broadcaster and critic, Matthew Collings; and David Roberts, collector and founder of Gallery One One One in London.

The four finalists chosen for the 2008 prizes are Mark Davey, Amy Moffat, Robert Sherwood, and Camilla Wills. These four winners received a monetary award in order to create a piece for the 4 New Sensations Exhibition being held in October.

The 20 shortlisted students, including four finalists, will be presenting their work in an exhibition opening in London on 15 October.

Robert Sherwood, Future Silk Mechanics, 2008

Robert Sherwood’s paintings present his viewers with a very surreal world. He places modern, artificial elements within an organic, natural landscape. When doing this he creates a perspective that causes the viewer to feel a bit disoriented. In Sherwood’s words, “I can exploit the notion of perspective by working it out roughly, so when closely inspected it isn’t as absolute as it should be. This is intended to leave an awkward and disorienting view of the world.”

Robert Sherwood, Breathing Instructions, 2008

Sherwood’s juxtaposition of organic forms and modern structures defines the theme of his work, and allows him to be relevant in today’s world, as well as in the future.

Robert Sherwood, The Past Sure is Tense, 2008

The unique qualities in this artists work are the muted, earthy colors he chooses to work with. It brings a very atmospheric tone to the already surreal imagery he depicts. In his piece for the show on October 27th, Sherwood has proposed to work on a triptych. In this piece Robert wants, “To explore the progression of time as the image moves on to the next canvas. In my work I explore how the illusion of depth can be created through layers of thick linseed oil tinted in white. This pushes the image and the color back, increasing the depth of the painting.”

Robert Sherwood, New Electric Ride, 2008

Robert Sherwood currently lives in London. He attended the Chelsea School of Art and Design.