Kevin Newark (1973)

Bag #13 (Protoplasm series)

Kevin Newark (1973)

Bag #13 (Protoplasm series)

2009 | dibond mounted on aluminium | 70 × 70 cm

The term ‘protoplasm’ has become outdated and isn’t used any more, but it’s still very current in the work of Kevin Newark. Protoplasm refers to the living contents of a cell, and although plastic doesn’t have any living cells, Kevin tries to bring a certain liveliness to plastic with his photos.

Discarded plastic carrier bags, which Kevin found in the canals of East London, form the basis for his Protoplasm series of photographs. He photographed the bags in the water, which makes them appear to come to life. What do you see when you look at it?

Show me more