Playful paintings sing out
Board games provide the inspiration for Marte Marcé's paintings, together with the lyrical modernism of such early 20th-century painters as Sonia Delaunay, whose vibrant colours and intersecting geometric forms were a softened variation of Cubism.
At Riflemaker's new gallery, on the first floor of St Barnabas-in-Soho, an 18th-century Grade I-listed building that once provided shelter for the homeless, the Spanish artist shows a series of new paintings on wood that were initiated during her recent two-month residency at Camden Arts Centre.
Marcé is not only inspired by the visual appeal of games such as Tangram, but finds in them a compelling metaphor: games, like life, have 'a system, an order and a set of rules'. This seems a rather good metaphor on which to base a series of lively but measured paintings in a rich tapestry of colours (such as Diadem 3, pictured). But life rarely follows a rigid pattern, which is why you'll also find two floor pieces, Flow 1 and Flow 2. Made up of various geometric shapes slotted together, these can be rearranged by the viewer, according to a series of nearby diagrams.
It's a tall order to compete with the grand chandelier and ornate ceiling decoration at the new site but Marcé's playful paintings still manage to sing out.
Until Feb 8, Riflemaker, 1 Greek Street W1, Mon to Fri 11am to 6pm, Sat noon to 6pm, free. Tel: 020 7439 0000.
Tube: Tottenham Court Road
Marta Marce: Diadem Paintings
Riflemaker
Portland Place, W1B 1BN
