British artist Jake Wood-Evans opens his largest institutional exhibition to date this September, In Turner’s wake, at The Historic Dockyard Museum in Chatham, UK. The presentation forms a remarkable dialogue between Wood-Evans and one of Britain’s most popular and enduring artists, J.M.W. Turner (1775-1851). Significant works by Turner have been loaned by Tate for the exhibition, forming the basis of Wood-Evans’ contemporary response.

In his studio, surrounded by paint-splattered postcards and art books showing printed reproductions of celebrated artworks from history, Wood-Evans works instinctively. Through his practice the artist recontextualises the Old Masters, using each reference as a springboard for his own creativity.

Familiar images are iterated beyond recognition, then pulled back into focus, then reworked again in a continual play of push and pull with the past. Wood-Evans’ layered approach of addition and reinvention shows how painting can continue to renew our relationship with history.