Bloc Billboard: Simon le Ruez

8 June - 14 September 2022

Free & Open to All

 

Bloc Projects Members Billboard Commission Our intent is all for your delight by Simon Le Ruez

 

Our intent is all for your delight is a Bloc Billboard Commission by Sheffield-based artist Simon le Ruez, selected out of our Bloc Members’ open call.

The work subverts and appropriates ideas of escape in holiday advertising and classic cinema. The title borrows from the slogan of Butlins holiday camps, and the image is a composite of Simon’s own paintings, seaside resort advertisements and—most notably—a famous still from David Lynch’s film Blue Velvet.

Together with Roy Orbison’s In Dreams as a soundtrack, Simon notes: ‘I am interested in how the film still and song reference the silver screen, which might be thought to be similar in size and proportion to that of the billboard. The work deliberately incorporates layers and traces of newsprint, which chimes with a billboard’s overlaying of information and advertising.’

Installed outside our gallery space on Eyre Lane, it will be available to view & listen to from 8 June. Pop down anytime!

 

Simon le Ruez was born in Jersey CI and lives in Sheffield, UK. He works across media, chiefly between sculpture and installation. He was nominated for the Northern Art Prize and was the overall winner of Cube Open in Manchester. Simon was commissioned by the Northern Art Prize to make a work for the public realm, which was subsequently exhibited in Central London during the London Olympics and is now part of a private collection. Recent projects include his fourth solo exhibition Paris can stay in bed at Vane Gallery and collaborations with artist Maud Haya Baviera in moving image and photographic works.