Imitation of life

Jonathan Monk 'appropriates' the work of other artists. But his copying is neither an act of homage nor a shameful display of an artist bereft of his own ideas. Rather, it's a way of exploring concepts of authenticity and originality. Yep, those old chestnuts.

Unfortunately, Monk (whose Second Hand Daily Exchange is pictured) has little to add on the matter, though he has, in fact, deviated from his usual method. You might know him for displaying copies of pictures by other artists, sticking drawing pins in them as an act of intervention.

Here he shows a couple of imitation Rothko paintings, created by a sign painter so that Rothko's shimmering edges are all thickly outlined. Monk asked conceptual artist Art & Language to provide a written description of each painting, which he duly sent off to be realised on canvas. The result is what you might expect.

Sol LeWitt
Wall Drawings
*
American artist Sol LeWitt, at Lisson Gallery's second site, is an artist who has played with notions of authenticity as a nullifying endgame since the 1960s. His wall drawings are executed by others, following detailed descriptions provided by LeWitt. If you failed to get excited first time around, then you'd be forgiven for finding all this a touch depressing.

Until Jan 20, Lisson Gallery, 29 & 52-54 Bell Street NW1, Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 5pm, free. Tel: 020 7724 2739.
Tube: Edgware Road

Jonathan Monk: Second Hand
Lisson Gallery
Bell Street, NW1 5DA