SIMON WILLEMS The work of Simon Willems offers us a curious antidote to the sanitised escapism that precludes the more vexing questions of daily life. Against this cushion, he sticks pins in the version of reality we think we know and understand. Willems dissects images and ideas that tug on the distinction between mental and physical realities. More particularly, he scrutinises those that support the delusions of false comfort within a very contemporary vulnerability.  The work is anchored on the collapse of personal utopias through the cultural and religious indoctrination, which informs these ideals. These tend to fall into areas that revolve around a particular cliché or familiar idea, or which more surreally confront the viewer with complex psychological states.  A slow time-base and layered process of recognition is central to this vision. The titles, reflecting the sentiment of the work, often refer to lyrics and song titles from popular music that satisfies both a humorous bent as well as a cultural access point.The working process evolves naturally through an assimilation of motifs and projects, which run concurrently over a period of time. Recurring themes include references to dinosaurs, funfair signage, maps, album covers, inflatables, mantelpiece kitsch, and disposable toys.

SIMON WILLEMS
'No More Mr. Nice Guy'
57 x 75cm
Watercolour and acrylic on paper
2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'No More Mr. Nice Guy'(3)
57 x 75cm
Watercolour and acrylic on paper
2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'C3P0 On His Deathbed'
45 x 45cm
Oil on canvas
2007

SIMON WILLEMS
''Stormtrooper mourning the loss of his mother'
45 x 45cm
Oil on canvas
2007
'Stormtrooper mourning the loss of his mother'.JPG

SIMON WILLEMS
'Screen' (Homeage to Carl de Keyser)
84 x 101cm Oil on board

SIMON WILLEMS
'C3PO on his death bed'
20 x 20cm -W/Colour on paper 2007
Courtesy of Galerie-Polaris Paris

SIMON WILLEMS
'How soon is now'
25 x 30cm - Oil/Enamel on Linen 2006

SIMON WILLEMS
'The Advantages of Failure'
183 x 168cm
Oil on canvas
2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'From an Edition of Indiscreet Legs (3)'
Watercolour on Paper
34 x 26 cm, 2007

SIMON WILLEMS
'From an Edition of Indiscreet Legs (4)'
Watercolour on Paper
34 x 26 cm, 2007




SIMON WILLEMS
'When I meet my Maker'
Watercolour on Paper
34 x 26 cm, 2007

SIMON WILLEMS
'Reaching Out'
Watercolour and Acryllic on Paper
28 x 38 cm, 2007

SIMON WILLEMS
'Off-cut (Lovers)'
29 x 36cm
W/colour & Acrylic on paper 2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'Off-cut (Swing)'
29 x 36cm
W/colour & Acrylic on paper 2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'Off-cut (Family)'
29 x 36cm
W/colour & Acrylic on paper 2008

SIMON WILLEMS
'Off-cut (Monkey)'
29 x 36cm
W/colour & Acrylic on paper 2008