Exhibition
Byroglyphics’ new solo show “Subsidiary” - Signal Gallery
Byroglyphics (aka Russ Mills) is one of those rare artistic phenomenons whose entry into the
arena of galleries and exhibitions in 2008 seemed so effortless, that it was almost as if he’d
been on the scene for years.
He first came to the notice of Urban Art fans and buyers by selling very reasonably priced prints
of his dynamic digital collage work through his website. Run after run of prints were sold out and
it wasn’t long before he was approached by a number of galleries (including Signal) who wanted
to show his works. His first solo show was with Red Propeller in Bristol in 2008 was a huge
success. His next solo show was at Signal in 2009 and was a sellout. He has also exhibited in
group shows across the UK and the US.
In his second show at Signal, ‘Subsidiary’, he will be exploring some dark emotions and abiding
preoccupations concerning ‘inner demons that do their best to affect everything I do’. Not being
the type of artist that ‘feels the need to bang drums and shout my view across’, the show will
focus powerfully on the personal, as opposed to the socio-political preoccupations of many of
other artists in the Urban Art scene.
What is certain, is that the imagery Byroglyphics has produced for the show will have that
immediacy and seamless aptness that has been a feature of his work from the start. For an
artist who confesses to his ‘inner demons’ the surface appearance of his work is surprisingly
confident and supremely fluent – whether he is using purely digital methods or in combination
with manual techniques. Hidden under the surface glamour of some of his work, lurks a
sadness and a sense of rootlessness. This element of mystery adds depth and increases the
appeal of the work.
“I'm not really equipped to turn what I feel passionately about into subject matter without turning
every piece into a slogan and I'm not the kind of person that feels the need to bang drums and
shout my point of view across, hence the work is simply about the inner demons that do their
best to ruin or certainly affect everything I do.”
Byroglyphics 2010.
