“British Invasion” at Court Tree Collective
February 10th – March 16th, 2024
Featuring: Theo Bardsley, Natalie Savage, Jonjo Elliot, David Horgan, Grace Tobin, Cathy Tabbakh and Jacob Harris (Atlantic Drift).
There have been quite a few reincarnations of the original British Invasion, the cultural phenomenon of the mid-1960s, when rock and pop music (as well as other cultural aspects) from the United Kingdom became popular in the United States. It is fair to say that its influence on pop culture has never ceased to exist. A few decades later, the late 1980s saw the “Young British Artists” movement take the artworld by storm. Artists involved, such as Damien Hirst and Sarah Lucas, became household names. However, the YBA movement was not as forthcoming in its origins and did not necessarily scream: “We are from the UK!” Whereas today, it seems that the young British artists are expressing themselves more organically with influences from their own roots. In addition, presently, with the advancement of global media and all things readily available at our fingertips, it is most difficult to create a cultural explosion. However, that is what makes the UK art sphere so important right now. It is a moment where all things seem to be in the pocket of what it means to be a British artist.
Musicians have a saying about drummers and bass players being “in the pocket”. It is given as a compliment because it means that they are so skilled and smooth that the rhythm they create seems as if it has always been there. We believe this is happening currently in the UK art scene. There is something nostalgic in its contemporary work, something tangible and, most importantly, something British. For us, this group of artists is doing just that. This exhibit, British Invasion, features Theo Bardsley, Natalie Savage, Jonjo Elliot, David Horgan, Grace Tobin, Cathy Tabbakh, and Jacob Haris.
The artists we chose for this exhibit are each a great example of the talent that is there. It seems every time we are scrolling on a media site we are stopped by yet another amazing UK artist.
COURT TREE COLLECTIVE
Industry City
51 35th Street,
BLD #5
2nd FL, Suite B236
Brooklyn, NY 11232
