Well I am still thinking of what kind of puffery could go on this page. So in the mean time here is the press release for my 2009 exhibition:
‘Food, Animals and Celebrity Death’
Contemporary drawing exhibition 31 July 2009
In a world of the never ending media stream the flow of information can make us forget where we are. ‘Food, Animals and Celebrity Death’ by Chris Shipton observes national identity, the food we eat and the celebrities we admire.
Food has always been a form of expression, and for some, obsession. It is both part of day-to-day life and a source of extreme pleasure.
Historically, cartoons have portrayed nations as animals, and this critique of nationality continues to be true today. In popular cartoons, for example, Russia is often represented by the flexing muscles of a bear. Strutting French cockerels and British lions have as much nuance today as they did centuries ago.
Fame bestows a god-like status upon people. And when they die, officially our ‘thoughts and prayers’ go out to families, whilst in reality our inboxes are flooded with crass jokes.
Using techniques normally found in comics, Shipton explores these three themes in an exhibition of finely executed drawings using pen and ink, and Photoshop.
Awarded ‘The Times Young Cartoonist of the Year’ in 1994, Shipton went on to study drawing at the Camberwell College of Art. He has continued to produce cartoons, comics and blogs. In 2006 Shipton exhibited at ‘The Evening Standard London Life Cartoon Competition’ at the Cartoon Museum in London.