I’d already managed to overcommit myself when Alex Hyde’s Exhibition appeared on NetGalley. It ticked so many boxes for me, I had to have it. Spanning several decades, it follows the musings of photographer Rabble Stone on her relationship with the unnamed artist whose work is about to be the subject of a major retrospective.
It was a chemistry, something we had, something we made between ourselves, both of us being used.
Rab meets Duncan in the college bar, in need of a place to stay. She’s from a working-class background where art counts for nothing; he’s living with his grandfather in Marylebone, privileged and wealthy. Duncan suggests she takes a room in a Brixton house rented by the artist who he’s known since they were fourteen. All three are at the same college, Duncan and the artist, so close they’re almost family into which they envelop Rab, amused at the many references and cultural codes she fails to understand. Rab’s favourite form is portraiture, waiting so long to photograph her subjects they lose their self-consciousness. The artist is her own subject, constantly drawing herself naked, often dishevelled and grubby. There’s an underlying, unspoken desire in the way that Rab looks at her, something she takes advantage of. By the time the course is over, the artist’s work is already meeting with acclaim, much of it around the self-portraits which incorporate Rab’s unattributed work; Duncan’s dangerous vulnerability has become apparent, and Rab’s responsibilities draw her home. After years of estrangement, the artist and Rab become close once again, this time in New York.
Even though we felt it by then, all three of us, the distance that was already there. We could see you up front, pushing ahead, like a mare straining at the bit, all spittle and hooves digging in.
In a narrative which frames the retrospective, Rab unfolds their relationship, both artistic and personal, in fragmented chapters addressed to the artist. Art is the overarching theme of this brief novel which asks questions about authenticity while taking a few swipes at the art world with greedy gallerists, exploitation and the damaging brouhaha surrounding success. Hyde’s research is impressive; many readers will notice a similarity between the artist and Tracey Emin’s work but as she makes clear in her author’s note, this is a work of fiction. The relationship between Rab and the artist is subtly drawn. Rab’s desire is never articulated yet we, and the artist, know it’s there and the artist makes use of it, manipulating her into taking part in work that she would prefer not to engage with. The ending felt a little overly dramatic, but the last few lines saved it. I didn’t get around to Hyde’s much acclaimed debut, Violets, but Exhibition has made me want to read it.
Granta Books: London 9781803514130 256 pages Hardback (Read via NetGalley)
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This looks as if it could in some ways complement a reading of Venus, Vanishing? Our library doesn’t hold it – yet – but I’ve just reserved Violets (it must be the sae as The Two Violets?) instead. TBR management going awry again ….
That would work well, and you’re absolutely right: it’s Violets not The Two Violets. I’ll amend that now.
No harm done!
Sounds interesting! I wasn’t aware of this author at all, I’ll look out for this and Violets.
There was some hype around Violets which put me off but Exhibition was excellent, well worth reading.
I have to add this to my list too – I too love an art-based drama. Some resonance in the story with Rules of Civility perhaps?
Maybe – I can see a thematic overlap. I think you’ll enjoy this one.
Picked up a copy this morning Susan, off the back of your post last week. John, my trusted bookseller had also read it and was very impressed so I’m looking forward to it now.
Always great to have a trusted bookseller! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the art theme.
He’s a danger Susan, he knows exactly what I will like and always manages to sell me something 🙂
Ha! Expensive… Have to admit to having customers like that when I was a bookseller. Best part of the job.
I can see why Hyde’s spare style appealed to you. I didn’t care for the hybrid poetry/prose approach in Violets, which also felt predictable to me.
Hmm… That sounds off-putting. None of that in Exhibition.
I enjoyed Violets, although I found one of Violet’s story more compelling than the other. I rather liked the lyrical passages that interrupted the story from time to time – the ones Rebecca didn’t care for! This one sounds quite different and I’m unsure about it.
Well, I’m now in two minds about Violets! It is very different from what I can gather. I did work well for me but I am very partial to an art theme.
I could have predicted you’d find it hard to ignore an art themed novel!
Luckily, it’s fairly short, and very good!
Very interesting review! Nice work!
Thank you!
Enjoyed your review (I don’t know this author). I’ll keep her on my radar.
Pleased to hear that. I gather this one’s very different from her debut which is always commendable.
An entirely new author/title to me but extremely interesting! As you know, I find art novels complete catnip. I note as well the proximity to Venus, Vanishing which I really want to read.
As Margaret suggested, the novels complement each other well. I can seem to get enough of that art theme, either.