Steven Asquith’s striking wall paper work dominates the gallery space and introduces us to a world where gesture and traditional mark-making are used to formulate a transcendent view of the contemporary landscape.

Drawing inspiration from modernist ideas in abstraction and referencing a broader western history of painting, this work carries Asquith’s unique visual language, however it represents a shift both in size and materials qualities for the artist.

The paste-up covers the entire wall space, giving a unique monumental presence. The black and white printed paper provided a starting point for the work. The pink circles were painted on top by the artist in situ, drips allowed to flow freely down the paper; bringing him closer to street art where this level of immediacy is a requirement. But for Asquith engaging with the practice of street art is less important than the adoption of modern materials to traverse visual cultures.

Hanging upstairs is a series of four new paintings. Repeating patterns of raindrops and Posca rings are disrupted by sprayed swirls of colour. Circles of paint are permitted to drip unreservedly. But now, almost like pairs of eyes, they look out from a background transformed by culture – one of smart phones and Smart cars. With titles such as Lazer Caged Pets and Dub-fighter these works are a playful reflection on the current technological and socio-political climate.

Alison Lasek 2012