Artist Patrick Hughes celebrates 50 years with new works at Flowers Gallery, Cork Street

AFTER carefully ensuring his pictures of infinity were hanging the right way up, Patrick Hughes hosted a party to celebrate 50 years in the art world this week.

An exhibition of his new works opened yesterday (Thursday) at the Flowers Gallery in Cork Street, Mayfair. It is running at the same time as a retrospective at the gallery’s East London branch, where Wednesday’s festivities took place.

Mr Hughes said: “I’m interested in reaching a point that can never be reached. But the really wonderful thing is when the viewer comes along, then it comes alive.” Mr Hughes, 71, has always been fascinated by what he calls “reverseness” – the idea of turning objects and landscapes inside out.

But he admitted that not everyone always gets it. 

Mr Hughes added: “I made a piece called ‘The Perfect Present’ for a show in Ireland – we always make jokes about the people in Ireland – and the guy who unwrapped the show unwrapped The Perfect Present. I had to do it again.”

• Patrick Hughes: Fifty Years in Show Business – New Works is at Flowers, 21 Cork Street, W1, until September 3.

Published: 15 July 2011
by JOSH LOEB