b. London, 1955 17th April - 9th May 2008 Paul Simonon will present a much-anticipated exhibition of his paintings this spring, his first for six years. A lifelong artist, Simonon will be showing a bold selection of powerful new works at Thomas Williams Fine Art on Old Bond Street from April 2008. This exhibition will include a series of oil paintings interpreting 'La Corrida', bullfighting tournaments witnessed by Simonon during a visit to Spain in May 2003. He was at the Plaza de Toros Las Ventas in Madrid when the famous matador, Antonio Barrera, was tossed in the air repeatedly by the bull he was fighting. The wounded man was carried to the side of the arena by his fellow matadors (crudilla), wrapped in his cape. The drama of this scene reminded Simonon of 'Deposition' pictures by artists such as Carravaggio and Titian, and inspired his own series of paintings on the theme. The exhibition will also contain a number of 'Still Lives' depicting objects which hold an element of religious symbolism. The work in this show was painted in Simonon's London studio after several months spent studying and sketching bullfights and matadors at first hand. He reached a point where he was "no longer a slave to reality and could take liberties" with his subject matter. The result is a group of strong images revealing both the ceremony and fragility of the world of the matador. Simonon's last one man show was held in London in 2002, and comprised a series of large-scale Thames views painted from life. Exhibitions Click here to view more info about this exhibition
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