PREVIEW: Imitate Modern Invite Rhythm into the Visual Realm

As the name suggests, rhythm and music are the uniting themes for Imitate Modern's latest multidisciplinary art exhibition. The focal point for the project stemmed after artist Ed Ball revealed one of his most dramatic works to date, said to be inspired by his own experience in "painting the music."

As the long standing relationship between music and art evolves, Ed Ball's creation of "Rhythm" brought together both mediums at a height of abstract expression while painting to Goldie's 'INcredible sound of Drum 'n' Bass.' Here a view predominates which makes it easy to imagine: each musical harmony and tone mechanically corresponded to certain shapes and colours.

In the words of the artist: '...back then I was focused on the art of painting sound and music, expressing myself in the pure and simple act of becoming at one with the music. A bit like when you are dancing to an amazing track, you are with the groove and you just don’t care because you are lost in the sound, beat, and rhythm! ... it just all came together for me with this piece, on this special day I discovered the cathartic experience of painting to music. That day I lost myself in paint music and colour.'

The creation of Rhythm was well documented in both photography and video (footage belowI, and will now be exhibited alongside a handful of the gallery's resident artists including Day-Z, Mairi-Luise Tabbakh, Schoony, Paul Oz and George Morton Clark. Works by London-based visual and tattoo artist Henry Hate will also be exhibited for the first time. His ink masterpieces were once visible on the likes of Amy Winehouse, Alexander McQueen, Boy George and Pete Doherty to name just a few. Stepping outside the box of the tattoo world that has brought him much success, he is now shifting into the world of fine art.

Anna Kovaleva, Imitate Modern's Gallery Director said:

"The exhibition naturally came together around Ed Ball’s most fantastic painting Rhythm (incredible sound). I felt this work deserved a proper display and hence named the exhibition after it. As I was showing it to other artists and telling people about the exhibition, it was interesting to see how many could relate to music through visual arts. Some of the artists showing for the first time with Imitate Modern for this exhibition have a career in music as well as art for example Cody Choi is a choreographer and professional dancer who appeared in Matthew Bourne’s famous Swan Lake adaptation, Triana Terry is an accomplished actress and singer while Henry Hate has been a tattoo artist for musical greats such as Amy Winehouse. Most of the artists I spoke to had works of art about music or inspired by it, hence the exhibition of a single work easily developed into a rather diverse group show."