Tricia Gilman and Ruth Moillet

Storey Gallery
October - November 2004

Reviewed by Kate Dobson

Ok, I have a confession to make. I really love Fine Art, whatever that is. I know that there's a place for all the other genres, new media, for example. One of this year's entrants for the Turner Prize, Langlands and Bell, have created virtual computer game–type simulations of Osama Bin Laden's base. It is a thought provoking and powerful work which deserves to win for its imaginative reference to the current political climate. All the same, there is something to be said for the aesthetic quality of a painting or sculpture. So, with this in mind, I normally like visiting the exhibitions at Storey.

Currently showing until the 20th November 2004 are a series of paintings by Tricia Gilman, and a sculpture installation by Ruth Moillet. Walking into the main gallery, the sculptures, huge metal workings of dandelion clocks, are the first things you see.

They are magnificent in their scale and beauty, and also in their symmetrical perfection. They manage to convey a sense of lightness and transience despite being made out of metal and being essentially anchored to the floor. And that's about it. I thought they were beautiful and tactile, but not much more. I think I'm contradicting myself by being disappointed by their beauty, but as we all know, there's not much point in beauty without brains behind it….

The flower presses were also spectacular – clearly a great deal of time had been spent making them and getting them right, and they look incredible, but I couldn't escape the terrible elitist thought that they were, well, a bit craft-y. I know, I'm a complete art snob, but, well, I know what I like.

What I didn't like, not one little bit, were the paintings. Oh dear, I can't really think of even one positive thing to say about them… they were large and colourful – that's always good… But I thought they were naïve and garish and meaningless, and not particularly attractive. As ever, though, go and judge for yourself. And have a look at the Turner Prize nominees – they are great this year.