Litha

Simon Averill (b. 1961)
Albert Einstein’s ‘spooky action at a
distance’ theory referred to the subject of
‘quantum entanglement’. This principle
has inspired this ongoing series of paired
paintings by Simon Averill. Quantum
entanglement is a physical phenomenon
which occurs when pairs or groups of
particles are generated, interact, or share
spatial proximity in ways such that the
quantum state of each particle cannot be
described independently of the state of
the other(s), even when the particles are
separated by a large distance—instead, a
quantum state must be described for the
system as a whole. Physicist and feminist
theorist Karen Barad coined the term
‘intra-action’ to describe the concept of
‘entanglement’, (not only of fundamental
particles but of all material, matter, of nature
and of meaning). There is a distinction to be
made between intra-action and interaction;
when bodies interact they retain a degree
of independence, each entity existed before
the encounter. When intra-action occurs
individuals materialise and agency emerges
from within the relationship not outside of
it. These works further enhance Averill’s
reputation for attempting to record elusive,
transitory yet fundamental phenomena.
Produced through a multi layered, process
of glazing where methodical and repetitive
series’ of motifs, are used to describe
intangible potentials.
Simon Averill is a British artist born in
Brighton, England in 1961. He currently
lives and works near Marazion in West
Cornwall. Averill studied Fine Art
at Brighton Polytechnic and graduated
with Honours. In 1986 he established a
Printmaking Workshop near Penzance,
Cornwall, which he ran until 1990. He
has been a member of the Newlyn Society
of Artists since the late 1980s. Averill
has exhibited widely with exhibitions in
the UK, Europe and USA including the
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Show,
The Discerning Eye exhibition at the Mall
Galleries, Royal West of England Academy
in Bristol, Sherborne House, Plymouth
Museum, Plymouth Arts Centre, Truro
Museum, Falmouth Art Gallery, Newlyn Art
Gallery and the Festival Hall in Chicago,
USA. He has had 12 exhibitions and
won the Wells Art Contempory painting
prize in 2020.
Entanglements
acrylic on panel, 40 x 40 cm each
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