Mandy Webb

'Great Expectations of an Incurable Optimist' at The Crypt Gallery at St Pancras presents an early retrospective of Artist Mandy Webb.

Mandy has previously exhibited at Pallant House, Vyner Street and Debut Contemporary in Notting Hill, winning the Fine Art Graduate Award for her dark and often challenging works. Her first London based solo exhibition presents a series of works spanning ten years, documenting Mandy’s journey from HIV diagnosis to positive artist.

Mandy’s new hard hitting feminist works now reveal a softer side underneath the grenades, pills and skulls reminiscent of her previous works. Under skirts of red ribbon and Victoriana, Mandy welcomes the audience into her satirical perspective of HIV treatment and awareness, referring to her love of Charles Dickens and adopting Nicholas Nickleby’s “incurable optimist”.

There will be an opportunity to see Mandy’s popular pieces, ‘The Red Ribbon Dress’ and ‘Memorial Book’, in which Mandy will invite visitors to write messages in the form of dedications to people they may have lost to this disease or to those living with this condition every day. This Memorial piece is a beautiful reminder to never forget the huge amount of lives lost as well as raising awareness that HIV is still very much prevalent.

Mandy invites you along to her preview night, supported by friend and Patron of the Sussex Beacon, Ann Mitchell. The distinguished and award winning actor will be joining Mandy to welcome everyone to this event.