Simon Birch’s “Hooligan” exhibition at Ben Brown Fine Arts will come to a close on May 15th but not without selling out most of his paintings as well as adding to the exhibition on May 11th his sketch drawings for the first time.
His images are striking, style distinct, and trademark-able and in all of it he tells a story. In this case, there is someone off canvas affecting the portraits of these faceless people alluded to only in the title. What is a Hooligan? When I think of the word without looking it up in the dictionary, I think of the meaning as someone who causes trouble. And Hooligan’s are generally nondescript just as the portraits could really represent any one of us.
Are there people in your life causing you trouble? Perhaps take a look at one of Simon’s portraits and see which one might be a reflection of your own “Hooligan”-ed life. Still have a few days to check out the art work!
By Derek Ting
