Mike Silva

Mike Silva's work are balanced between a strong presence and a subtle understatement that are intimately linked to his personal memories. His paintings showcase portraits, luminous still life, and interiors that reveal light breaking through windows onto everyday objects like half-empty shelves, record decks, and kitchen sinks. These settings are temporary dwellings within the short-life tenancy housing co-op that the artist has been a part of for an extended period of time. Silva employs his own personal photographs, depicting personal belongings like discarded headphones or dirty dishes, to capture the essence of his life and that of previous occupants, creating eerie yet therapeutic portraits. Using a photorealistic technique with a blurred effect, Silva frequently features friends and lovers in poses that highlight their masculinity, capturing moments of tenderness and vulnerability between the artist and the subject. Through the use of soft lighting, muted colors, and serene moments Silva evokes a mood that is affirmative yet gently mournful. ...

The Approach is co-directed by Jake Miller and Emma Robertson. Located in Bethnal Green above The Approach Tavern, for over twenty years it has operated an internationally recognised programme from its East London base. The gallery is known for discovering artists and establishing their careers as well as making inter-generational curated group shows a strong focus. The list of represented artists includes the Estates of important overlooked female artists Heidi Bucher and Maria Pinińska Bereś, as well as seminal British collage artist John Stezaker, together with established and emerging artists including Magali Reus, Peter Davies, Lisa Oppenheim, Sandra Mujinga, Pam Evelyn, Sara Cwynar, Sam Windett and Caitlin Keogh. Over the years the gallery has operated parallel programmes in additional gallery spaces in London’s West End (The Approach W1) and in Shoreditch (The Reliance). The gallery is currently based solely in its original East End location and continues to expand its programme, showcasing its represented artists in the main gallery space, and both represented and non-represented artists in The Annexe, a smaller, more experimental space at the back of the building. ...