Monument to V. Tatlin after D. Flavin II, Version One

Location

Country: Other
City: other locations abroad

This painting refers in both appearance and title to a series of sculptures made from fluorescent light tubes in the 1960s by celebrated American artist Dan Flavin (1933-1996). Flavin's works in turn were made as a homage to the "Monument to the Third International" by the Russian Constructivist artist and designer Vladimir Tatlin (1885-1953). Tatlin's "Monument" was designed as an open spiral tower, intended for the centre of Moscow. Although never built, it remains one of the most potent images of post-revolutionary Russia and Soviet Constructivism. McGinn produced this painting of artificial light by spraying car paint through a stencil held a short distance away from the canvas.

Martin McGinn was born in Gillingham, Kent. He studied at Bristol Polytechnic (1974-1977) and at the Royal College of Art (RCA, 1978-1981). His first solo exhibition was held at the Curwen Gallery in London during his last year at the RCA. He has since participated frequently in solo and group shows in the UK and abroad, including ‘Nature of Light’ (Galleria d'Arte Contemporanea, Venice, 1999) and ‘Late Night Shopping’ (Saatchi Gallery, London, 2002). McGinn lives and works in London.

Places

Subjects

rocket, space exploration, monument

Materials & Techniques

cellulose, acrylic (paint), canvas, painting (as object name)

Artist

Martin McGinn (1955 - )

Title

Monument to V. Tatlin after D. Flavin II, Version One

Date

1999

Medium

Cellulose and acrylic on canvas

Dimensions

height: 142.00 cm, width: 107.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Hales Gallery, November 1999

Provenance

Hales Gallery, London

GAC number

17406