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John Latham

Artist Cv

From his1954 demonstration leading to foundation of the Institute for the Study of Mental Images (ISMI), Hampshire, when his "quantum of mark" approach to Form as Art was discovered, until his death in 2006, one of John Latham's major preoccupations was to map the relation between this representation of history and that of scientists approaching the subject from mathematical and common sense perception. Latham's work was "art" with the Universe as subject matter; the difference found being one of great simplicity. The conventional world picture is in terms of "objects". Art uses a dimensionality of "event" that is incompatible with "object" language. Hence his construct Event Structure.

Latham's most famous works are his book-reliefs which he made from the 1950s onwards, both wall-based and free-standing. He was also the first person in the UK to use spray-paint in his work, both in the paintings of the 50s and to make the seminal 'One Second Drawing' works of the 70s. There were retrospective exhibitions of his work at Tate Britain in 2005 and at the John Hansard Gallery and P.S.1, New York in 2006.

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Artist Contact

Sales Enquiries: Matthew Smith matthew@lissongallery.com +44 (0)20 7535 3453

Artist Liaison: Matthew Smith matthew@lissongallery.com +44 (0)20 7535 3453


Artist Exhibitions

God is Great  June 10 - September 9, 2005
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John Latham  January 21 - March 5, 2005
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A Shot in the Head  July 14 - September 9, 2000
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Then and Now  July 18 - September 12, 1998
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John Latham  October 21 - November 20, 1992
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John Latham  October 24 - November 19, 1988
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20th Anniversary Exhibition  July 23 - September 19, 1987
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John Latham  January 14 - March 14, 1987
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Wall Show  December 10, 1970 - January 30, 1971
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John Latham  November 3 - December 6, 1970


Artist Images

<i>God is Great (#4), </i>2005
Glass, books, silicone 
Dimensions variable
God is Great (#4), 2005 Glass, books, silicone Dimensions variable

<i>Cluster No.11, </i>1992
Plaster, fragments of books
44 x 54 x 50 cm
Cluster No.11, 1992 Plaster, fragments of books 44 x 54 x 50 cm

<i>The N-U Niddrie Heart, </i>1991
Glass, books, paper, plaster, electrical wire, light bulbs, metal fittings and sand
84 x 49 x 34 cm
The N-U Niddrie Heart, 1991 Glass, books, paper, plaster, electrical wire, light bulbs, metal fittings and sand 84 x 49 x 34 cm

<i>Table with the Law, </i>1988
Table with glass and ten books
75 x 33 x 76 cm
Table with the Law, 1988 Table with glass and ten books 75 x 33 x 76 cm

<i>Story of RIO, </i>1983
Plastic, glass, books, plaster, metal fittings, spray paint
150 x 85 cm
Story of RIO, 1983 Plastic, glass, books, plaster, metal fittings, spray paint 150 x 85 cm

<i>Untitled (Roller Painting), </i>1964
Spray paint on white duck
365.7 x 274.3 cm
Untitled (Roller Painting), 1964 Spray paint on white duck 365.7 x 274.3 cm

<i>Four Phases of the Sun,</i> 1963
Books, wires, plaster, paint on canvas on hardboard
229 x 314 x 23 cm
Four Phases of the Sun, 1963 Books, wires, plaster, paint on canvas on hardboard 229 x 314 x 23 cm

<i>Seein's Believin', </i>1961
Books, wire mesh, plaster, paint on canvas on hardboard
122 x 91 x 20 cm
Seein's Believin', 1961 Books, wire mesh, plaster, paint on canvas on hardboard 122 x 91 x 20 cm

<i>Little Red Mountain, </i>1960
Timber base, books, plaster, wires
132 x 64 x 64 cm
Little Red Mountain, 1960 Timber base, books, plaster, wires 132 x 64 x 64 cm

<i>Great Uncle Estate, </i>1960
Books, wires, nails, metal chain, string, leather, paint on canvas on  hardboard
335 x 274 x 20.3 cm
Great Uncle Estate, 1960 Books, wires, nails, metal chain, string, leather, paint on canvas on hardboard 335 x 274 x 20.3 cm

<i>Fly Fishing, </i>1959
Books, plaster, paint and wire
93 x 122 cm
Fly Fishing, 1959 Books, plaster, paint and wire 93 x 122 cm

<i>The How and the Why,</i> 1959
Charred books, plaster, paint, wires, metal fittings on canvas on hardboard
213 x 122 x 23 cm
The How and the Why, 1959 Charred books, plaster, paint, wires, metal fittings on canvas on hardboard 213 x 122 x 23 cm

<i>Wave Function, </i>1959
Books, electrical wires, metal fragments, paint on canvas on hardboard
122 x 105 x 20 cm
Wave Function, 1959 Books, electrical wires, metal fragments, paint on canvas on hardboard 122 x 105 x 20 cm