GL Brierley, Covetelle.

Oil on Wood

Looking at painting always involves perception and interpretation, but G L Brierley’s convoluted pictures seem defined by their capacity to trigger pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon whereby a viewer recognises shapes in abstract patterns. The artist constantly teases our imagination, for example adding to Supplacey (2009) a vaginal aperture, and to Baobola (2010) a penile nose. As this game of recognition unfolds, so does Brierley’s freak show. Each ‘specimen’ – the artist calls them ‘paint personalities’ – is represented on a stage like a monstrous performer, available on demand for perverse viewing pleasure.