Irish artist Robyn Ward's new solo exhibition, "Walking in the Dark," debuts on the eve of the Frieze London Art Fair

The artist, who teamed with Robbie Furze of The Big Pink for the show, co-hosted a star-studded dinner, auction, and private viewing to benefit Cancer Research UK on the opening night.

The Eye that Watches in the Darkness (all three artworks)

On 5 October 2023, contemporary Irish artist Robyn Ward presented a star-studded supper to benefit Cancer Research UK, coinciding with the eve of his immersive solo exhibition, Walking in the Dark.

Prominent attendees from the realms of film, television, theater, music, and modeling congregated at the exclusive event at The Old Session House, Clerkenwell Green, London, which generated substantial funds for the humanitarian initiative.

With the support of his close friend and collaborator Robbie Furze from the English rock band The Big Pink, Ward is allocating 100 percent of the event's proceeds to Cancer Research UK, which finances cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This cause is personally significant to them, since both have had relatives impacted by the disease.

Irish artist, Robyn Ward

Robyn Ward has effectively secured funding for several charitable initiatives over the years and was motivated to endorse Cancer Research UK by Furze, who established The Pamela Ann Foundation in honor of his mother, who has been contending with the illness for several years. The duo has previously endorsed events for Teen Cancer Trust, but this marks their inaugural collaboration in a creative capacity. The couple anticipates that this will not be the final exhibition, as they intend to present Walking in the Dark at further international art fairs, including Art Basel in Switzerland, Miami, and Hong Kong.

Walking in the Dark, which had a highly successful and acclaimed run in New York earlier this year, will continue until 15 October 2023, coinciding with the renowned Frieze London art fair, attracting leading investors, critics, and artists to the capital.

Curated by artistic director Shai Baitel, Walking in the Dark showcases 22 expansive painted canvases and six autonomous sculptures, influenced by Ward's restless existence, characterized by a need for both escapism and evasion.

The primary exhibition area will feature Ward's abstract compositions and mixed media sculptures, while the basement of Walking in the Dark will immerse visitors in complete darkness, symbolizing the artist's profound subconscious and creative process.

Furze has composed an original piece for the exhibition's immersive component, allowing visitors to navigate Ward's artwork in darkness using miner's headlamps.

Ward states, “Robbie has created a beautiful composition that intricately connects the paintings and the music.” It will resemble individuals genuinely delving into my psyche in the obscurity, rendering Robbie’s soundtrack a crucial component of the encounter. It truly invigorates my feelings.

Furze states, “I enjoy crafting atmospheres and soundscapes, and I believe my music induces a nearly meditative effect, thereby augmenting the appreciation of Robyn’s work by enhancing the overall experience rather than detracting from it.”

Originating from Ireland and reared in Northern Ireland, Ward draws upon his own experiences of devastation, turmoil, and societal disintegration to connect them with both historical and contemporary global conflicts. Walking in the Dark examines the issues of migration and trauma—both national and personal—and poses inquiries such as, “What compels individuals to wander?” What are the consequences of perpetual motion?

Ward departed Dublin at the age of four, relocating to Belfast, where he resided until he turned 18. He states, “Between the ages of 18 and 25, I believe I did not reside in a single city for more than seven or eight consecutive months.” I believe that, coupled with my lack of stability in Belfast, resulted in a really itinerant lifestyle.

Faces in the Night

Robyn Ward, Walking in the Dark Faces in the Night Ward has utilized numerous pseudonyms and collaborated with various collectives over the years. He has showcased his work at the Museo Tamayo and the Museo Nacional de Arte in Mexico City, with paintings featured in several prominent auctions and exhibitions in New York, London, Los Angeles, Paris, and Hong Kong, among others.

Baitel states, “Engaging with Ward’s artistic journey and perceiving the nuance of this pervasive psychological tension in his work necessitates a willingness to undergo such a profound catharsis — to witness one’s life, with all its tensions and contradictions, mirrored in the artist’s creation.”

“Similar to the abstract quality of Ward’s artworks, a nomadic disposition frequently obscures the underlying motivations for such wandering.” His art raises inquiries regarding what precisely Ward is concealing during his travels. Similar to traversing in darkness, perceiving Ward's art necessitates an adjustment of one's vision to discern what might otherwise remain unnoticed.

“Ward's work exhibits vitality and luminosity, demonstrating the capacity to transcend and embrace darkness.”

Walking in the Dark will operate by appointment from 11 AM to 6 PM daily from October 7 to 12, 2023; no appointment is required from October 13 to 15, 2023.

Exhibition Information: Walking in the Dark, Knotel at Old Sessions House 23 Clerkenwell Green, London EC1R 0NA