‘Hidden Agenda’ depicts a cartoonish set of pelicans in bright blue, white and red colours, that inhabit the paper like a funny, and possibly misleading, puzzle. The works shows Erik Bendix’s interest in the repetition of motifs as artistic strategy, forming patterns and illusions of movement across the paper. ‘Hidden Agenda’ also explores the manner in which viewers approach imagery in an image obsessed popular culture, which Erik considers fundamentally infantile, consumer orientate…

‘Hidden Agenda’ depicts a cartoonish set of pelicans in bright blue, white and red colours, that inhabit the paper like a funny, and possibly misleading, puzzle. The works shows Erik Bendix’s interest in the repetition of motifs as artistic strategy, forming patterns and illusions of movement across the paper. ‘Hidden Agenda’ also explores the manner in which viewers approach imagery in an image obsessed popular culture, which Erik considers fundamentally infantile, consumer orientated and repetitive.

Erik wanted to produce a piece of seemingly uncomplicated imagery aimed at attracting the potential viewer, that actually reveals something of a much more serious nature (hence the title of the work): how we relate to mass culture and its pervasive influence in most realms of everyday life. In this sense, the work achieves exactly what it means to criticise, becoming a work of perverse artistic intention that leaves us wondering where, as viewers/consumers, do we stand exactly.

‘Hidden Agenda’ is a 4 colour screen print printed on 300 gsm Archival Cotton Paper. The edition of 25 hand numbered and embossed prints has been approved by the artist and comes with a signed certificate of authenticity.

Erik Bendix was born in Lusaska (Zambia) in 1975. He studied painting and philosophy before moving to London (where he now lives and works) in 2008 to take an MFA in Art Practice at the prestigious Goldsmiths College.The main driving force behind Erik's work has its origins in cartoon-based imagery…

Erik Bendix was born in Lusaska (Zambia) in 1975. He studied painting and philosophy before moving to London (where he now lives and works) in 2008 to take an MFA in Art Practice at the prestigious Goldsmiths College.

The main driving force behind Erik's work has its origins in cartoon-based imagery. He translates this ubiquitous product of popular culture into idiosyncratic paintings whose major strength is their ambiguity and hidden meaning.? Erik's particularly interest lies in the moment when the form (naive, almost childish figures) collapses with its content (namely, questioning how the painterly medium is read and interpreted in contemporary culture). But his work consciously refuses to offer any definite conclusions. Instead, the work relies on subjective readings, creating an active dialogue between the work and its audience.

Erik won the Jealous Print Prize in 2010. Selected exhibitions include: The London Art Fair (2011); The Affordable Art Fair, London (2010); 'Harsh Lines and Spongy Surfaces', Hackney Wicked Festival, London (2010); 'Pause and Eject 2', The Rag Factory, London; The Fall Exhibition, Den Frie Exhibition Space, Copenhagen (2005 & 2004).