The Space Between the Stars at Scream Gallery

The Space Between the Stars is Scream’s third annual exhibition featuring works by new and upcoming artists, both from London and further afield. This year’s title refers to the contributing artists’ experimentation with light and dark, and the exhibition is an exciting fusion of vibrant colours and glossy textures.

Visitors approaching the gallery are treated to an early glimpse of what is to come in the form of Chris Bracey’s carved metal sign Star (2008), which hangs in the window, its carnival lights illuminating the dark street. Bracey, an established sign-maker, has gained popularity in recent years, with commissions from big names in the retail and club industry. Now taking his work into the gallery setting, his piece Forever (2009) features a tattoo-esque heart motif with the title scrawled across its centre in neon tubing.

Even more extrovert than Bracey’s pieces are works by the Tsai & Yoshikawa collaboration, whose pieces Pop Bloom – Prism I and Star No.1 (both 2012) are bright and eccentric flower-like structures which reach out into the space with their voluted fronds lit by central bulbs.

Regine Schumann’s pieces, in acrylic and phosphorescent pigment, are far more minimalistic. Omega V (2009) is a standing curve which omits a subtle glow, whilst Colour Mirror Scream consists of a row of parallel “bars” in various bright colours. The effect is simple, yet beautifully iconic.

Another artist worth noting is James Hopkins, whose wooden word pieces are clever in design and stand out from the rest of the exhibition through their natural colouring and smaller scale.

The Space Between the Stars would appeal to anyone who enjoys contemporary or pop art. The fun nature of some of the pieces, and the engagement through use of light and colour, make the exhibition a relaxing and enjoyable space to visit.

Melanie Weaver

The Space Between the Stars is at Scream Gallery until 16^th February 2013. For further information or to book visit the gallery’s website here.