8 Holland Street is excited to announce its upcoming exhibition featuring new works by artist Jake Garfield. "Man Holding A Snake" will be on view at our flagship gallery in St James’s Park, London, from 31 January to 12 April 2025.
The exhibition will consist of new pieces from Garfield's ongoing series, "The Boxer”. Artworks range in scale from postcard-sized to near-cinematic, with the same composition often explored in both intimate and monumental formats.
“The Boxer” establishes a dialogue with Pierre Bonnard's 1931 self-portrait 'Le Boxeur: portrait de l'artiste', in which the ageing painter depicts his reflection holding a boxing stance. In response, Garfield offers a picture of a fragile, absurd, and sometimes shadowy masculinity.
The works on display depict scenes of boxing-gloved figures wrestling, holding snakes, or creating art, rendered in Garfield's distinctive palette of deep greens and earthy reds. Damask patterns feature throughout, connecting these works to the rich history of woodcut printing with textiles and wallpapers. The carefully carved motifs are juxtaposed with areas of frenetic gouging or mark-making,creating a tension between moments of tenderness and raw expression within the compositions.
Additionally, Garfield references fellow "Jakes" throughout art history and pop culture as a means of transference and projection. The title piece references American professional wrestler Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, with further links to the Old Testament's Jacob and boxer Jake La Motta—all representing fighters in their respective domains.
