Contemporary: Donald Rodney

Nottingham Contemporary exhibition: Visceral Canker features a variety of work created by British artist Donald Rodney. Rodneys work was spread over 4 galleries with most works displayed on the walls and a variety in the centre of the room as well. While walking through the exhibition I could see that the galleries were spacious and large, the white walls allowed a clean and neutral background for the works to be shown and for them to stand out. Each space was well lit and bright apart from one gallery and one room that was off to the side. This was a dark room that displayed a video of Rodneys life as he spoke about his work and his illness, this was one of my favourite spaces in this exhibition. I think that the dark atmosphere really allows the viewer to become immersed in the film and allows for minimal distractions. 

Another one of my favourite pieces is a series of photographs called 'flesh of my flesh' one image depicting a scar from a surgery and the other two are close ups of hair strands tied in a knot. I am particularly drawn to these images, the two knots of hair are black and white and I think that this causes an inhuman look to the photograph, they are twisted in odd shapes and seem almost alien. I think that this separates the viewer from these two pieces of work, almost like a barrier, they can't truly connect with it because even though it is human hair it lacks a sense of humanity. I believe that this is in complete contrast to the middle image which is a photograph of  surgical scar on Rodneys back. I believe that this is a compelling image due to the fact that it is so human, this work depicts something that could happen to anyone and something that most people, including myself, already have. The scar is long and although healed looks jagged and rough, I believe that this image conveys the pain of the artist and the struggle that they have had to go through and I think that this is something the all viewers can relate to in some way.