Notton Gallery is proud to present Gallagher's newest body of work, which considers the phenomenon of Hyperphanthasia: a condition describing the mind's ability to create vivid mental imagery. Imagery which is so acute, sharp and detailed that it coexists alongside our physical experience of the world. This cinematic visualisation is often accompanied by a cacophony of thoughts and narratives, which could be described as our internal monologue.
Mental imagery is inherently private. In this exhibition of new paintings, Jamie Gallagher reveals how the ability to 'see in his mind's eye' allows him to free dive into his own mental landscape. Executed in 2022 / 2023, this body of work explores Gallagher's thoughts, emotions, memories and experiences in vivid technicolour, providing the momentum for self-reflection and self-analysis.
Gallagher uses the physicality of paint to explore the border between abstraction and figuration. Through Gallagher's profound connection with the materials and tactility of his working process, a melding of figurative forms and instinctive marks are forged.
Manifested from his hyperphantastic imagination, these portraits are evidence of Gallagher's capacity to scrutinise the human condition, depicting the intricate balance between the sublime and the brutal.
