Art Virtually Real: art toying with our eyes March 19, 2011 ‘Virtually Real’, the current exhibition at Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds, intends to question our perception of reality as artists have throughout history: ever preoccupied with sense of space and trying to make the viewer believe or disbelieve in something depicted.

The ‘Virtually Real’ exhibition now on at Stanley and Audrey Burton  Gallery, Leeds, intends to make you question your perception of reality, as artists have throughout history been preoccupied with sense of space. Trying to make the viewer believe or disbelieve in what is depicted.

It’s all about subjective truth when we believe in what we can see, what lies beyond it we don’t need to worry about, do we? This is an exhibition aiming to face us with the familiar, then dash our easy acceptance in the next instant by undermining that truth.

9 artists are highlighted in this exhibition, Petros Chrisostomou in particular manages to confuse our sense of scale in his photographs, employing architectural models, inserting ordinary ephemeral objects and a theatrical use of lighting to dramatic effect. You can tell there’s something not quite true going on but you can easily accept it. Virtually Real is a show designed not to entrap us in illusion, but enlighten us to alternative ways of seeing and interpreting.

Virtually Real continues until 21 May 2011.

Upcoming (& free!) events linked with Virtually Real;
30 March – Lunchtime Talk with Curator Layla Bloom
9 April 2011 – Talk and Portfolio Critique by Curators James Moore and Dawn Woolley

Jane Faram Arts Editor