RESTRICT/REFLECT

This exhibition is inspired by an earlier exhibition Amanda Lynch curated earlier this year titled ‘Restriction’. While curating this previous project during the Covid-19 pandemic Amanda did this entirely by working remotely (from home). 

Restrict/Reflect is a reflective body of work for Amanda exploring how restrictions over the past year have impacted and influenced making artwork. 

This exhibition can be viewed in 4 stages, the top shelf of the dresser features prints of the spine and brain featuring a red dot, this red dot is to highlight problem areas. Amanda has had an injury to her back which has impacted mobility, affecting her modes of working. 

The second shelf are collages formed from using her self portrait as well as juxtaposing this with images of zoom, something many of us have become very familiar with over the past year. Amanda’s last year has been on zoom meetings, seeing family and holding an exhibition. These collages bring to light how this can make you feel fragile, with a lot of screen time. All eyes can be seen looking at you, watching.

The third shelf are collages exploring Ray Johnson a prominent mail artist in the 1960s and is seen as an icon today within the mail art community. Amanda’s interest in mail art has been something that has influenced her own making, now exploring the notion of icons, she uses Ray Johnson a figure to expand upon on what the meaning of the icon is, in and out of the art world. 

The fourth shelf are collaborative works, while working on ‘Restriction’ Amanda has worked with a number of artists. These works pinpoint some of these relationships. The following artists are included within these collaborations, from left to right:

Matt Dart (padlock) 

Emma Rose (face print)

Amanda Lynch (pink binding)

Sally Eldars (lost in post)

Amanda Lynch (Ray Johnson edit)

Luminaria star (risograph print)

Amanda Lynch (collaged text)

Artist Bio:

Amanda Lynch, UK (b.) 1990, graduated in Fine Art (BA) 2013 at De Montfort University, and graduated in Arts (MA) 2016 at De Montfort University. Lynch works with mixed media, from sculptural forms to 2d works. Lynch’s work explores social engagement and practice, within community-based projects. Lynch’s work is held in international and national private collections, as well as CloseLTD gallery collection. Lynch has exhibited throughout the UK, and abroad, exhibiting in Canada as part of the Gushul residency (Alberta) 2016, Somerset Arts Festival 2019. Group shows include Yeovil Creatives (Somerset) 2019, Nou Wave I (London) 2019, Art Outdoors (Somerset) 2020, Post Ray Johnson (London) 2020, Mass Shooter (Netherlands) 2020, Lawrence and Clark (USA) 2020, Bad Trash (London) 2020. Residencies include, Gushul artist in residence (Canada) 2016, Ceda artist in residence (UK) 2020 and Kolaj Institute 2021 residency. Lynch has had press features and interviews with Somerset art works, BBC Somerset Radio interviews (2019), ITV feature (Somerset) 2019. Lynch is currently living and working in Somerset. UK