James Crowther – I’ll Drive at New Art Projects, Hackney, East London – Yeah, I know, really should have written something about this show when it opened back in January, there is no real excuse, it was one of the stand out shows in what was a bit of a disappointing start to the art year. James Crowther is always interesting, his shows at Hackney’s New Art Projects have been rather rewarding, this one was maybe a little understated compared with his previous shows in the same space, his part in the English Magic show back in 2015 was something very special. This year he’s maybe a little more low key but James Crowther is a powerful artist and his cutout portraits that we’re told “explore themes of identity, whilst celebrating humanity” are something to admire. He is a powerful artist, a skilful artist, an artist who demands you pay attention to the attention to detail hey pays, to the life in his pieces, James Ctowther has a way with his subjects, a painterly sensitivity that captures something in his portraits that makes you want to know the people. Apparently created during the various lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and yes i know the show should have been covered a good few weeks back, we did go to the opening night after all, but hey, Lockdown and lack of painting light and better late then never, it is a show that deserves to be, for what it all be worth, and as tough as it sometimes is to keep on being positive about the London art scene and the the attitudes tha prevail, a show that deserves to be acknowledged on these fractured pages. Should have covered it weeks ago, sorry (sw)

New Art Projects is at 6d Sheep Lane, Hackney, London, E8 4QS.  Just by Broadway Market, not far from the Regents Canal and a stone’s throw from Beck Road. The last day to see the show is this Saturday 19th February. There is a good looking publication that goes with the show, more fetails from the gallery.

As always, do click on an image to enlarge or to run the slide show