99 Projects presents LIFE STILL: Dawn Beckles & Poppy Lennox.

Life Still, at 99 Projects gallery, brings two distinct bodies of work together in an abundance of textures and punchy palettes. In an intriguing visual conversation between the work of two artists, Dawn Beckles and Poppy Lennox consider the concept of ‘still life’ and its inverted and expanded meanings. The exhibition moves away from long-established ideas about ‘still life’ and is instead concerned with the essence and interconnectivity of life.

Lennox’s embroidered wooden pieces speak of the transcendental and otherworldly, while Beckles’ mixed media canvases are concerned with domestic space, featuring man made items and exotic flora. Beckles’ work revels in colour while Lennox’s work, although harnessing the power of gold, of bright, jewel tones, does so within the space of a larger muted palette. There is a satisfying lightness of touch in Beckles’ pieces in the way that she paints and places collage which contrasts so well with Lennox’s exquisite, painstaking threading and geometric patterns.

A particular gem is Beckles’ mixed media work You can try, a tiny piece showing a large, grand interior. The mark making sings as we are shown paintings on a wall within the painting and I really want to sit on the sofa there. Another highlight is Lennox’s Form From Frequency I. There is a compelling restraint in the composition and its long, thin scale is inspired – the eye has to really engage to gain a sense of the space within the surface. Life Still is an elegantly curated show, and another hit for 99 Projects.