Number Forty7

The recently established Number Forty7 has already proven to be one of London's most promising galleries of late. Opened in late 2005 by influential Anglo-French artist Mathieu Ógan, the gallery now holds some of Britain's most controversial contemporary pieces and exquisite, inspirational photography alike. Upon its creation Number Forty7 had originally been designed to house only the work of Ógan, however this changed during 2006 when the galleries doors were opened to many of London's finest up-and-coming young artists.

Early Beginnings

It was following the success of "Pictures From The Escape" [A Portrait of Modern Art - Ógan" - The Independent September 5th 2005] (2005) that Ógan finally decided to open his own gallery, and the project was put in motion. Inspired by his father and fellow artist, Jacques Ógan [Pieces by Jacques Ógan include 'Orion de planète et l'univers plus large, par le jour' and 'Fraises Invisibles'] , Mathieu strived to create somewhat of his own frame for artwork which had been up until recently regarded as 'overly exploitative' and coined by art critic Edgar West as 'the bits nobody needs, nor wants to see' [Edgar West - The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, 2001] . These terms were of course used in reference to Ógan's first mainstream portfolio, "Let The Media Control You" ["A Portrait of Modern Art - Ógan" - The Independent September 5th 2005] which showed some of London's finest citizens at their lowest, as well as an insightful although disturbing examination of sub-cultures within the city. Proving Mr West wrong, Ógan opened the gallery in 2005 just round the corner form his old Hackney studio where many of his earliest, and to this day unreleased works were created.

Situated on 14 Goldsmiths Row, the name Number Forty7 was supposedly decided upon by Mathieu after the ever cynical Jacques Ógan joked that his son's gallery would fail because only the number 47 bus passed by it.

Ógan's Work

Currently Number Forty7 is home to some of Mathieu Ógan's most creative and respected works. His first mainstream portfolio "Let The Media Control You", produced in 2000, contains the pieces for which Ógan may well owe his current credibility to. The 35 year old artist's fresh slant on surrealism shocked art critics and buyers alike with his debauch and decaying depiction of London's high society.

It was this original portfolio which made way for Ógan's second success, also allowing a huge contrast to be found between the projects. This strongly juxtaposed second work entitled "Pictures From The Escape" (2005) is largely focused on capturing the beauty of Northern France, and in particular Brittany. The versatility with which Ógan works was finally recognised in 2005 when Noah, why hath thou forsaken me? secured him ‘The dell'Arte Prize for Surrealism’. [Tate Modern Today June 2006]

Both portfolios currently feature heavily in the Number Forty7 gallery and are widely regarded as some of London's finest contemporary artwork of recent years.

Other Works

Number Forty7 gallery holds host to an array of other modern contemporary pieces from various artists. Perhaps most notably of which is a silent film which is running on a blank wall within the gallery, displaying an eye-opening project created by Rosalind Nashashibi, renowned winner of 'The Becks Futures Award 2003' [The Becks Futures Prizewinners - The Guardian, April 29, 2003] . The focus of the silent movie is placed firmly upon urban art and is a detailed study of a little-known-London. The emphasis on modern urban artwork within Victorian architecture acts almost as a complementary piece to Ógan's own exploration of debauchery within high society.

Sculptures by the likes of Liverpool born Tony Cragg take centre stage in some of Number Forty7's open plan gallery rooms, with controversial artwork by Aleksandra Mir adorning the walls. Mir, whose pieces also appear in what has become known as Number Forty7’s ‘sister gallery’ The Saatchi Gallery, has been able to use Ógan’s gallery as a launch pad for some of her latest sketches, including ‘Beauty Free’ and ‘Cold War Hot Stuff’.

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