The art gallery The Koppel Project presents the first solo exhibition of Mexican Artist José Nava. After years of painting and drawing reclusively, Nava will share a significant selection of his life’s work, which consists of an enormous body of work of over 5000 pieces that have remained largely unseen until now. The exhibition “Fish out of water” brings together 300 drawings, paintings, sculpture and objects from Nava’s workshop; works of art that tell stories of everyday life, family, love, politics and displacement depicting scenes of life in Mexico and in London.
José Nava is a Mexican fisherman turned self-taught artist. Nava was born in 1937 and grew up in the barrios of Acapulco on the pacific coast of Mexico. In 1961 he travelled to Europe and settled in England. Nava quickly became involved in the experimental theatre company, The People Show, building sets, props and costumes and performing internationally.
After leaving the theatre Nava dedicated his time to painting and drawing, producing a vast body of work, which has yet to be fully catalogued. Living in his self-built home in Kentish Town, Nava never really left Mexico, bringing its vibrancy back to London, preserving memories and feelings within his work and the world he has built around him.
This exhibition features the documentary ‘Big Fish’ by his eldest son Zadoc Nava.
Zadoc Nava is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer based in London. His photographs have been published and exhibited internationally.
Where: The Koppel Project, 93 Baker Street, London W1U 6RL
When: 30 November 2016 – 20 January 2017
Website: http://thekoppelproject.com/jose-java-fish-out-of-water/