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About the piece
No 7/10
When we discovered that Trent Galleries were finally able to display and retail the amazing art by The Connor Brothers we all gave out a cry of Yes Yes at last this is what we had been waiting for.
“It is the paradox of art that artifice is often the best way to depict reality, fiction the best way to challenge conventional ideas of what we think of as ‘the truth’. Most people are happy to think that this is the way it is. But it really isn’t. Who knows the truth of anything?” (Mike Snelle)
This obsession with truth and fiction is the golden thread that runs throughout the life and work of the Connor Brothers and is particularly relevant in the current climate of fake news, post-truth and social media. The brothers create retro style figurative images which encourage us to challenge our assumptions and preconceptions, and as a result to perhaps see the world a little differently. Their interest in undermining our assumptions and casual acceptance of cultural norms is reflected in their extraordinary background.
They themselves started out as a fiction as in reality they are British artists Mike Snelle and James Golding. The fictional identity of Mike and James was designed to cloak their personal reality, and such was its success that it captured the imagination of the art world. The Connor Brothers were presented as innocent twins who had emerged traumatised from a Californian cult and were struggling to make sense of the world through their art – an interesting background no doubt, but the truth is more interesting still.
After coping with some challenging personal issues for many years the two became great friends and started experimenting with making art as a way of looking at the world through a more positive lens. Their intelligence, humour and creativity gave their work enormous appeal, but when it was suggested to them that they might choose to exhibit it one day, both resisted the idea, unwilling to expose their artworks and themselves to the public gaze.
I tried to drown my sorrows but the bastards learned to swim by The Connor Brothers
About the piece
No 7/10
When we discovered that Trent Galleries were finally able to display and retail the amazing art by The Connor Brothers we all gave out a cry of Yes Yes at last this is what we had been waiting for.
“It is the paradox of art that artifice is often the best way to depict reality, fiction the best way to challenge conventional ideas of what we think of as ‘the truth’. Most people are happy to think that this is the way it is. But it really isn’t. Who knows the truth of anything?” (Mike Snelle)
This obsession with truth and fiction is the golden thread that runs throughout the life and work of the Connor Brothers and is particularly relevant in the current climate of fake news, post-truth and social media. The brothers create retro style figurative images which encourage us to challenge our assumptions and preconceptions, and as a result to perhaps see the world a little differently. Their interest in undermining our assumptions and casual acceptance of cultural norms is reflected in their extraordinary background.
They themselves started out as a fiction as in reality they are British artists Mike Snelle and James Golding. The fictional identity of Mike and James was designed to cloak their personal reality, and such was its success that it captured the imagination of the art world. The Connor Brothers were presented as innocent twins who had emerged traumatised from a Californian cult and were struggling to make sense of the world through their art – an interesting background no doubt, but the truth is more interesting still.
After coping with some challenging personal issues for many years the two became great friends and started experimenting with making art as a way of looking at the world through a more positive lens. Their intelligence, humour and creativity gave their work enormous appeal, but when it was suggested to them that they might choose to exhibit it one day, both resisted the idea, unwilling to expose their artworks and themselves to the public gaze.
I tried to drown my sorrows but the bastards learned to swim by The Connor Brothers
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Fantastic service and quality banter with very good products. The staff are very polite and helpfulWayne Jones
"Fabulous service from David and Evie. Love my latest purchase delivered personally last night !"- John Coates
We were looking for a unique piece for my parents 50th anniversary. The ladies were very helpful and gave great ideas what pieces represented. We chose a lovely puffin sculpture called rocky romance. I would definitely recommend this gallery who wants one to one custom, knowledge of their pieces.Rachel Cowel
Fantastic service from the Beverley gallery. Both David and Evie were helpful and knowledgeable. We decided on 2 Tom Butler prints and David was happy to bring them to our home so we could see them in situ and answer any questions we had. We are delighted with both and would definitely recommend Trent GalleriesCathy Scarr
