ibcdidl STUDY #15. UNTITLED (THE NINTH RESORT), CHARLES AVERY 20 JANUARY -8 APRIL 2017 ‘Study #15 looks in depth at the work of British artist Charles Avery (b. 1973, (Oban, UK). The exhibition centres on a large pencil and ink drawing made in 2010 from the David Roberts Collection. Untitled (The Ninth Resort) depicts a dock scene from ‘The Island’, the epic fiction to which Avery has devoted his practice since 2004, Inspired by his own upbringing on the Scottish island Mull, Avery has developed an entire geography, anthropology and cosmology for his fictional Island through different philosophical and mathematical systems. The project includes large- scale drawings, sculptures, installations, books, posters, moving images, furniture and jewellery. ‘This exhibition opens with the Hunter, an explorer protagonist whose arrival on its shores introduces the viewer to the Island, and whose discovery of its landscapes, population and customs guides our own. The next room looks at the Duculi, one of the Island’s several gods, a tragic creature whose two canine bodies are fused at the neck in a blind eternal struggle. The centre of the exhibition addresses the city: both the metropolitan Place de la Révolution at the heart of the capital Onomatopoeia, lined with geometric monuments and bustling crowds of eyelists; and the more dingy industrial margins including The Ninth Resort A bronze bust crowned by a tall structural hat introduces the philosopher inhabitants of the Island, whose Dooks wear elaborate headwear signalling their adherence to one of many philosophical sub-schools. The final room collates materials selected by the artist to make visible his broad studio practice, including furniture, designed wallpaper, books, maquettes, sketches and texts. Untitled (The Ninth Resort) measures 175 x 236 em unframed. It depicts a dock scene on the outskirts of Onomatopeia, the capital of the Island. "The Ninth Resort’ at the centre of the scene is 2 popular café, named after the ‘ninth’, local eels that are central to the Island's diet, economy and culture. In the dusk gloom beneath a high dark horizon, the small boat ‘Subsistance’ returns with its haul of ninth’. Barefooted boys fish off the quay and long-nosed ‘kepews’, indigenous Island scavengers, clamber over the corrugated roofs, of a packing shed.‘The work was acquired for the David Roberts Collection from Pilar Corrias (London, UK) on 27th July 2010. It went on loan to EX3 Centro per Arte Contemporanea (Florence, Italy) for the exhibition Onomatopeia Part 1 (19 Nov 2010 ~ 9 Jan 2011). On this occasion the work was framed, and its framed dimensions are 196 x 237 x 9 em. It was then borrowed by Folkestone Triennal (Folkestone, UK) which took place from 23rd June until 25th September 2011. Most recently, the work has been loaned to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Edinburgh, UK) for the exhibition Generation: 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland (26 Jun 2014 ~ 25 Jan 2015). Untitled (The Ninth Resort) was the first work by Charles Avery acquired for the David Roberts Collection, London. This exhibition includes works from the David Roberts Collection and works on loan. The exhibition is curated by Vincent Honoré (Chief Curator, DRAF) and Sandra Pustethofer (Curator, DRAF). DRAF STUDIES are a series of focused case-studies of works from the David Roberts Collection. On display to the public at DRAF, each presentation centres on a single work, either in isolation or accompanied by selected works by the same artist. A new text is ‘commissioned studying the work in depth, from its material production, to its position in the artist's practice and contemporary debates. An artwork is a system. Beyond its trajectory as an object, it circulates as images, ideas and narratives. It contains both ‘material and conceptual histories, and the potential for future narratives. The Study is not conclusive, but asks the reader to take up multiple viewpoints and to engage with the artwork by, at least, spending some time wit it. Previous Studies include works by Victor Man, Carole Bove, Bruce McLean, Martin Boyce, Boyle Family, Michael Simpson, Yto Barrada, Sterling Ruby, Ida Applebroog, Andreas Slominski, Etel Adnan, Phillip Guston, Fiona Banner and Rosemarie Trockel. DRAF (DAVID ROBERTS ART FOUNDATION) is an independent, non-profit space for contemporary art in London founded in 2007. It is curated by Vincent Honoré. DRAF presents an international programme of exhibitions, commissions, live eventsand research. DRAF is located at Symes Mews, 37 Camden High Street, Mornington Crescent, London NW1 7JE. The David Roberts Art Foundation Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales (No.1119738). It is proudly supported by the Edinburgh House Estates group of companies. smited isa registered charity in Englondl and Wak Vand Wa 6astay9) at 25, h House Estates group of compan The David Roberts Art For pany Himited by guarant