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Arcadiana - A series of paintings

In this painting work Bodman explores the notion of the American Dream from an English perspective referencing place, site, heritage and otherness. The paintings aim to explore the notion of Arcadiana as exemplified in the eighteenth century European craze for Chinese inspired blue and white china, (which led to the development of Spode’s Italian-ware (launched 1816); and somewhat ironically, favoured by British settlers in America as a reminder of home. Through these paintings Bodman reflects on the confluence of a clean, ubiquitous certainty and an exotic otherness; a duality that is as unsettling as it is exciting - idealised, romantic idylls prove to be just that, plates are dropped and mended - not quite perfectly and dreams are exposed as everyday escapist fantasies.

Two works from this series were exhibited in We Love New York, a group exhibition, (14 exhibitors), first shown at Broadway Gallery, New York (July 2010) http://www.broadwaygallerynyc.com/2010/07/we-love-new-york/ then toured to Gallery North, Northumbria University, Newcastle, Autumn 2010. "Broadway Gallery is an open space for experimentation founded on the collaboration between artists, curators and writers, providing an ever-evolving dialogue on the contemporary art world". A 15-page catalogue accompanied the exhibition published in the NY Arts magazine (Vol 15, Fall 2010; international circulation of 6,000).