The playful and magical world of robots created by Matt Dixon is coming to Ealing with a new art exhibition opening October 14 2022 and running until 12 February 2023 at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery.
A Sense of Wonder: The Curious Robot World of Matt Dixon features the work of the British 50-year-old artist who has had a long standing career which includes creating art for video games including Crash Bandicoot, Pirates of the Caribbean and Spyro the Dragon.
Matt Dixon started his love for digital art at the age of eight when he assembled images using ASCII characters on his Commodore VIC-20 home computer and recently he is behind the design of the O2 mobile network robot brand mascot, Bubl.
The interactive experience will be across different media including print, canvas and four foot models as well as an augmented reality experience that will bring to life some elements of the exhibition.
The exhibition touches on a number of themes of modern life including the environment, mental health and consumerism and visitors will encounter the robots as they experience and express the best of human emotions: wonder, kindness, empathy, friendship, and love.
Visitors will also experience an audio soundscape that spans 100 years of music with a diverse range of artists including Judy Garland, James Taylor, Brian Eno, David Bowie, The Beatles, Radiohead, Kate Bush, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd and Billie Eilish all in a garden-like setting.
A beta version of Matt Dixon’s new robot video game will also be available for visitors to play.
The exhibition is curated by veteran British music industry executive Rob Dickins CBE.
Clare Gough, director of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery, said: “This exhibition will create an uplifting escape for our visitors during the autumn and winter months into an otherworldly landscape inhabited by Matt Dixon’s endearing robots.”
Rob Dickins CBE said: ”What I love about Matt’s art is that it works on at least two levels, as on the face of it, there are likeable junkyard creations but when you look deeper, there is almost always other levels which comment on the human condition and the environment, sometimes in the polluted landscapes of cities and sometimes in the calm and thoughtful beauty of the countryside. The cryptically titled pieces usually giving the viewer an idea…it is art that repays spending time with each picture. My advice is…look for clues.“
The exhibition is supported by The Deborah Loeb Brice Donor Advised Fund.
Admission details:
Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm (late opening Thursday: 10am-7pm)
Full price: £12 Thurs/Fri + £14 Sat/Sun
Concessions 5-15 + Student: £6 Thurs/Fri + £7 Sat/Sun
Half Price: National Art Pass
Free: Members, 4 and under, Historic Houses members, Entry with donation on Wed
Tickets can be booked online
A programme of related events will accompany the exhibition:
Members’ Evening: Curator Talk (19 October 2022, 6.30pm) — Exhibition viewing and introduction from curator Rob Dickins CBE
A Sense of Wonder: Artist Talk (24 November 2022, 6.30pm) — Digital illustrator and concept Matt Dixon reveals his ideas and process in creating the exhibition works
A Sense of Wonder: Curator Talk (8 December 2022, 6.30pm) – Exhibition introduction from curator Rob Dickins CBE
Open Sundays (6 November + 4 December 2022 + 5 February 2023) – Family activities inspired by A Sense of Wonder on the first Sunday morning of every month
Special Thursday Lates (27 October + 24 November 2022, 26 January 2023) — special late programme on the last Thursday of every month with talks, creative activities inspired by A Sense of Wonder, bar and more
