Castle Fine Art, Mayfair is proud to present an exhibition by Hamish Blakely, entitled Out Of Work Angels.

Saint or sinner, what are we? The exhibition by Blakely voices thought provoking moral questions about religion, and its place in modern society. Having been forsaken by humanity, these angels are adrift and Blakely offers us the engaging premise of the ripple effect in heaven and its fallout on Earth. Through this exploration, Blakely ultimately shows us a reflection of ourselves – our human frailty and our own resilience.

While citing the great masters Caravaggio, Degas and Rembrandt as influences, Blakely has well and truly found his stamp in this allegorical yet captivating new body of work. Blakely’s unconventional representation of angels evokes compelling thoughts about faith, spiritual belief and religion’s place in modern day society. Elegant and alluring, the angels are no longer called upon for guidance and help. For most of us, burdened with daily cares and pleasures, these weary heavenly guardians have been rendered useless and have discovered alternative vices to bide their time.

“Our collective lack of ability to meet the standards required of angels is the subject of these pictures. These are not the pouting, simpering bores of Raphael and Perugino – thank god. They are modern art’s modern women, but with doubts, disintegrating haloes and delicious vices to accumulate. They could so easily pass as madonnas and ecstatic saints but they aren’t going to be. They will instead be exemplary, imperfect followers in the footsteps of Adam and Eve. How tedious life would be without this free will to behave badly.

“So, I’m delighted Hamish is leading us into temptation, but only providing he doesn’t intend delivering us from evil.” David Lee, Editor of The Jackdaw