Tim Stoner: Negative Space

An exhibition of new paintings and works on paper by London-based artist Tim Stoner. This exhibition marks a significant evolution in Stoner’s exploration of the archaeology of the image. Developed over several years, these works reveal the complex layering and deliberate deconstruction central to his practice.
Stoner’s latest body of work deeply engages with the layering and removal of meaning, both within the paintings themselves and through the lens of art history. His approach draws on diverse historical precedents, from the meticulous restoration techniques of Old Masters to the expressive gestures of 1980s New York graffiti and the intricate beauty of Persian calligraphy. In Negative Space, Stoner’s paintings trace the passage of time and process, creating an intersection between the ancient and the contemporary, the additive and the subtractive.

Using unconventional methods, Stoner submerges canvases in swimming pools, pours dissolving chemicals over them, and utilizes tools like scalpels, sanding discs, and palette knives to distress the surfaces. These acts of erasure destabilize the identity of the paintings, allowing them to oscillate between unfinished states and final compositions. The result is a dynamic visual language that speaks to the temporality and fragility of the image.