The Exhibition, London, by Paul Askew (English, 1947-2023)

Framed Oil On Board, The Exhibition, London, by Paul Askew (English, 1947-2023)
 
Signed with monogram and dated 11-09, acrylic en grisaille, on board
34.5 x 34.5cm.; 57 x 56cm overall.
 
Paul Askew (1947–2023)
The Exhibition, London, 2009
Oil on board
In The Exhibition, London, Paul Askew captures the quiet theatre of the art world with wry precision. A lone attendant sits at a modest desk, surrounded by imposing framed works, her folded arms and sidelong gaze hinting at the ennui of the gallery experience. Painted in a restrained monochrome palette, the piece evokes a sense of stillness and observation—both the act of viewing and being viewed. Askew's brushwork is deliberately muted, recalling archival photography or a paused film scene, lending the composition a timeless, suspended quality. Known for his explorations of interior spaces and understated social commentary, Askew invites the viewer to consider not just the artworks on the walls, but the often-unseen rituals and rhythms that underpin public cultural life. The artist signed and dated the work in the lower right corner, anchoring this moment in his broader practice of documenting the overlooked.