In this work, Davies appeals to social conscience by using a photograph taken on a street in Beirut after a bomb exploded as his point of reference. The three figures, here represented life-sized, are created by moulds taken directly from life. Their realism is enhanced with the use of glass eyes, human hair and clothing and worn shoes. The immobility of the figures, whose postures hint at frozen movement, and the ashen tone of the work maintain the realistic look but give the piece an archaeological look and a disturbing apocalyptic feel.
Groups of figures, interacting as if they were engaged in dialogue, along with others reclining, perhaps dead, occupy an inhospitable space. Their scale in this ¿no place’ enhances the idea of solitude, isolation and annihilation. The graphic technique is used wisely, with an economy of means that almost makes them look like preparatory sketches. However, both drawings are imbued with a particular power that enables them to stand alone as autonomous works. (BBKateak)
1977. Documenta VI. Kassel, Alemania. 24/06/1977-02/10/1977.
1981. John Davies. Werke, 1970-1980. Hamburgo, Alemania, Kunstverein. 06/08/1981-20/09/1981.
2004-2005. John Davies. Esculturas y dibujos desde 1968. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 18/10/2004-23/01/2005.
2005. John Davies. Esculturas y dibujos desde 1968. Valencia, Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM). 10/03/2005-22/05/2005.
2006. Mirada múltiple. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 30/06/2006-24/09/2006.
2007-2008. Adquisiciones 02/07. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 10/12/2007-10/02/2008.
2016. Escultura hiperrealista 1973-2016. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 07/06/2016-26/09/2016.
2018-2020. ABC. El alfabeto del Museo de Bilbao. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 06/10/2018-08/12/2020.
2021-2022. Itinerarios. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 27/10/2021-25/09/2022.
2024. BBKateak. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. 31/01/2024-03/06/2024.
John Davies : esculturas y dibujos desde 1968 = Sculptures and drawings since 1968 [Cat. exp.]. Valencia ; Bilbao, IVAM Institut Valencià d'Art Modern ; Fundación Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2004, pp. 37, 81, 85, 93, 120-121.
El Museo de Bilbao se hace con dos paisajes de Pérez Villaamil y Beruete , El Correo . 25 de febrero de 2004.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : guía. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006, p. 203.
Musée des Beaux Arts de Bilbao : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006, p. 203.
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2006, p. 203.
Adquisiciones 02/07 [Cat. exp.]. Bilbao, Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2007, pp. 106-107, n.º cat. 44.
Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao : guía. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2011, pp. 204-205, n.º cat. 146a.
Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa : gida. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2012, pp. 204-205, n.º cat. 146a.
Bilbao Fine Arts Museum : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2014, pp. 204-205.
Musée des Beaux Arts de Bilbao : guide. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2014, pp. 204-205.
Escultura hiperrealista, 1973-2016 [Cat. exp.]. Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2016, pp. 58-59.
Bilboko Museoaren alfabetoa = El alfabeto del Museo de Bilbao = The alphabet of the Bilbao Museum = L'alphabet du Musée de Bilbao [Cat. exp.]. Bilbao, Bilboko Arte Ederren Museoa-Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, 2018, pp. 356-365, n.º cat. 200.
Viar, Javier. Hijos de la angustia. Bilbao, Muelle de Uribitarte, 2019, pp. 229, 251, il.
"BBKateak: Piola - Davies [Euskera-Castellano-English-Français]" [Consulta: 2024]
- Collection of the artist, London, 1974/1977-2003;
- Acquired by the museum from John Davies via Marlborough Fine Art in 2003.
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