Line drawing.
Joe Wilson exhibition at The Coningsby Gallery, Tottenham Street.

An exhibition of illustrations by artist Joe Wilson goes on view this week at The Coninsgby Gallery, Tottenham Street.

In Fireworks for Dead Men, Wilson explores the idea of Memento Mori, a Latin phrase meaning “remember your mortality”. It refers to art that featured a “figure of death” where the recently deceased were once captured in post mortem photography as a last remaining memory for those left behind. Wilson pays homage to this with his hand-drawn portraits.

“The show centres around a collection of new work, exploring centuries-old reverse glass mirror painting techniques, updated for the modern day to create beautiful and haunting one off pieces. These pieces will be available for sale throughout the show along with a selection of screen printed paper editions. A number of older pieces of work and original drawings will also be on display, with a limited number for sale,” say Debut Art & The Coningsby Gallery.

Wilson’s clients have included: The Guardian, Faber & Faber, Film4, Saatchi & Saatchi, Adidas, Johnnie Walker, 21st Amendment, Little White Lies, Arrow Films, London Fashion Week and Visa. 

Fireworks For Dead Men: A solo exhibition of works by renowned illustrator Joe Wilson, 24 March – 4 April 2014. Mondays – Fridays 9.00am – 6.00pm, Saturdays and Sunday by appointment only. Private View – 27 March 6 – 9pm. The Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RJ.

The Coningsby Gallery, 30 Tottenham Street, London W1T 4RJ