Glossy, kitsch appeal

The paintings of New York artist Alexis Rockman concern themselves with genetic engineering, genetically modified crops, mutant pets and bionic footballers.

Reminiscent of the highly detailed album covers of Roger Dean from the 1970s (Yes, Asia and the spooky, pike-nosed Martians of War Of The Worlds), Rockman's suite of five large paintings in the main gallery of Camden Arts Centre convey their message with a loud hailer: if we're not careful we'll let the big, bad scientists destroy the world as we know it.

But their glossy, kitsch appeal also lends this scary vision of the future an element of seductive ambivalence.

In one painting, of sexualised plant life - lilies with huge testicular growths and bulbous stamens - there's a touch of DalÌ, while another, of a David Beckham-type figure vaulting through the air with flippers and wings, is pure Boy's Own comic-book heroics.

From sci-fi to the virtual: in Gallery II we find artist and physiotherapist Jennie Pedley's computer-graphic landscapes of young adults with neurological disabilities. Inspired by the 14th-century paintings of Giotto, these stark virtual realms suggest a sad, alien and alienating world.

Lastly, there's Brian Griffiths, who used to confine himself to low-tech assemblies made from cardboard but has become ever more ambitious. A huge galleon built from thin planks of wood and incorporating junk shop knick-knacks occupies the arts centre's third gallery.

It would surely sink to the depths but, for a moment at least, it looks plausible enough.

Until Jun 13, Camden Arts Centre, Arkwright Road NW3, Tue to Sun 10am to 6pm (Wed to 9pm), free. Tel: 020 7472 5500. Tube: Finchley Road