The Mechanics of Drawing: From Newcastle to London

David Lisser, Jessica Temple, Mikhak Mirmahmoudi, Nick Kennedy, Rachael Clewlow, William Marshall

The Mechanics of Drawing shows a range of work from emerging artists who have graduated from Newcastle University, Fine Art between 2007 and 2009.

The exhibition showcases innovative responses to the action and product of drawing and machines. It includes automatic drawings, architectural drawings, anamorphic drawings, sculpture and related drawings, prints and collages, and paintings. This exhibition provides an opportunity to see high quality, extraordinary work by a selection of driven young artists.

Exhibition curated by Jessica Temple.

Rachael Clewlow fastidiously documents her every movement and translates the information gathered into visual maps of the UK. The use of subtle line and colour draws the viewer closer to scrutinise the work, thus the surface, materials and detail become more important. These highly finished works are not so much maps as art objects, shaded through blue and green tones.

Displayed in the window is Nick Kennedy's Windscreen Wiper Machine. A silver ring is attached to the mechanised windscreen wiper which touches a board, leaving a faint mark each time it passes over. The unique drawings that result are exquisitely delicate and made in silver on board. This work is a development in Kennedy's labour intensive and consuming exploration of chance and repetitive mark making.

David Lisser invents impossible machines, which are developed from extensive sketches. The Portable Wishing Well sits in a glass case, which contextualises the work as a museum object. It is eccentric and polished. The Portable Wishing Well combines "utility and beauty... [and is] carefully designed for ease of assembly; Affix the handle to the mechanism... Load the ramp with suitable currency. Depress the handle and relax as this wonderful invention takes the strain out of making wishes.

William Marshall has produced large wry, architectural drawings which show tower blocks and modern buildings which are amalgamated with eighteenth century French Chateaux. The drawings were produced alongside large architecturally themed sculptural works and stretch confidently from floor to ceiling or across the length of the walls.

Mikhak Mirmahmoudi borrows visual languages from different cultures and unites them through the medium of print. Pesos Mexicanos is a single edition series of photo-etchings with chine collé which emanate an elegant and mature grasp of composition and colour. Mirmahmoudi enlivens the mechanics of printing perfectly. Also in the exhibition are Mirmahmoudi's three dimensional prints Globes -After Geradus Mercator.

Jessica Temple's anamorphic drawing Two feet to the right: two feet to the left is an elongated, two metre portrait of two faces. It is created using pencil on paper which is stretched over large wooden supports. The weight of the piece contrasts well with the delicacy of the drawing. Her work explores perspective and alternative ways of looking at the faces around us.