David Harrison: Flowers of Evil at Victoria Miro Gallery

If the name is borrowed from Baudelaire, a French poet in 1857, the comparison is inevitable. The pieces in Flowers of Evil seem to  draw from the strong motifs in Baudelaire’s work, where he lyrically arranges concepts like decadence and erotica. Whether that was intentional or not, there is plenty of both across his works.

This is Harrison’s third solo show at the Victoria Miro gallery, but he has been around the London art scene for a lot longer. A graduate of Saint Martin’s School of Art, he is known to pack abstract thought and art on one canvas. The London-based artist has also exhibited in New York (in 2008), as well as Florida, Mexico City and Berlin.

The paintings of David Harrison celebrate femininity in a way that is not subtle and is welcome. The works are thick with strong, lasting imagery. The city’s invasive presence is also laced within, making surprise appearances with varied media.

The peculiar works stand out first, on walking through the gallery: the cat that claims “you can’t kill us” is effused with spirit and humor. On further inspection of other pieces, there is a lot more to be seen, and this is what makes Harrison’s work truly exquisite. There is so much that happens on every inch of the canvas, it is hard to look away. The juxtaposition of revelry coupled with societal concerns like housing developments and hoodie culture, and so much more, all comes alive.

Whimsy, charm and a unique take on the city and its people make Flowers of Evil a must-see.

Roshni Vatnani

David Harrison Flowers of Evil is at the Victoria Miro Gallery from 14^th November until 18^th December 2015, for further information visit here.