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exhibition reports >
 VIC
REEVES - SUN BOILED ONIONS
7 September - 21 October 2000
Percy Miller Gallery
Although primarily known as a comedian, Vic Reeves (real name:
Jim Moir) is also gaining a reputation as an artist. His drawings
and paintings have been used in his various television shows and comprised
a major part of his book Sun Boiled Onions. Now many of them have
been brought together for the first proper exhibition of his works spanning
the years 1981-2000. Many will be familiar to fans of Vic Reeves, but
this exhibition provides them with a chance to view these works in person
and see details that do not show up well in reproductions or television
appearances.
For those unfamiliar with Reeves' art, the same warped view of reality
pervades his paintings and drawings as it does his comedy. The themes
include the typical Reevesian obsessions, such as pop culture (especially
Elvis), and many of the people are portrayed with eyes set wide apart.
Reeves' inspiration for this style was some drawings he saw in a book
of Elvis art by fans. Although this appropriation of pop culture references
in a (somewhat) fine art setting could be seen as typical postmodern self-referential
irony, one gets the impression that Reeves' works are not at all disdaining
of their subjects; instead, his obvious enthusiasm and love of the subjects
shines through. Also, even ignoring any sort of pretentious interpretations
of his works, most of them work well just as something intended for a
bit of a laugh, especially drawings like 'A Lump of Nazi Nougat Walking
Down the Avenue' and 'Geri' which portrays the former Spice Girl scratching
a nipple.
Although some may dismiss this exhibition as a star cashing in on his
success in another field, Reeves' work should not be so easily dismissed.
Although many of the drawings can be considered merely arty cartoons -
or perhaps cartoony art - his paintings, especially the ones from his
show Vic Reeves Examines, show a much greater depth than the uninitiated
might expect from the paintings of a well-known comedian.
RENÉE ROSEN - 4 October 2000
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