Jean-Marc Bustamante @ The Fruitmarket Gallery

Bustamante’s first exhibition in Scotland marries two strands of his career – his works of photography and sculpture from 1978-97 and his sculptures and paintings from 2008-10. The result of combining these two styles of work is an interesting and succinct exhibition in one of the city’s most desirable gallery spaces.

In the downstairs galleries, his early works punctuate the space with their slices of time stood still. His static photography and installation pieces play with the idea of a paused sense of chaos rather than an overt calm as the sand in his square pit is rippled to perfection. There is also a sense of restrained vibrancy in his choice of colours, with industrial sculptures often painted in tired yellows and burnt oranges which add to the overall feeling of controlled turmoil. Bustamante likes to provoke the imagination of the viewer and here his simplicity, often ambiguity, of form allows the viewer to project their interpretations onto the work with little direction from the artist.

Upstairs his ink painted Plexiglas sheets are more unashamedly bright and glossy, reflecting rather than absorbing the light in the vast space. The influence of Matisse’s later work is most evident in the strength and precision of line with a style that is designerly and graphic, no doubt thanks to Bustamante’s grounding in photography. Beyond the flat surfaces, shadows play an important role in both his earlier sculptures and later paintings. Downstairs the shadows evoke a heavy stoicism while his recent paintings bounce light and colour around the room with a greater sense of humour.

Always demanding of your attention, Bustamante encourages the viewer to get lost in the shadows and reflections of a collection of works spanning the very dark and light of his career. [Emma Fyvie]