CRYPTIC 42 – DAVID BEGBIE

8 – 16 October 2024

Opening times:
Mon-Fri 10am – 5:30pm
Sat 10am – 5pm

Vernissage: Tuesday 8 October
6:30 – 8:30pm
RSVP by 4 October 2024 to:
rsvp@criscontinicontemporary.com

CRYPTIC 42 is an exhibition that encapsulates 42 years of David Begbie’s creative journey, covering the period from 1982 to 2024. The show delves into a variety of themes, such as the duality of angel and demon present within every individual, the profound influence of primitive tribal art, and the intricate beauty of the human form. Begbie’s sculptures, predominantly crafted from transparent metal mesh, challenge the viewer’s perception of space and matter, appearing as ethereal, floating three-dimensional drawings that seem to defy gravity. 

The earliest piece, RELIC 1982, offers a glimpse of a skeletal structure that symbolizes the origins of humanity, drawing parallels between historical and evolutionary references. In contrast, the latest sculpture, CRYPTIC 2024, reflects the often hidden yet powerful impact that tribal art has had on his work, revealing the complexity of human nature through a combination of primitive masks and floating angelic figures. 

At the core of the exhibition is the juxtaposition of opposites – light and shadow, physicality and illusion, abstraction and realism. Begbie’s use of metallic industrial materials, which appear almost weightless, invites viewers to question the boundaries between form and substance, as well as the tension between what is perceived and what is real. This mastery of medium and theme has defined his 42-year career, culminating in a body of work that transcends materiality and speaks directly to the viewer’s imagination and perception.