Coat-hanger crucifixes, a matchstick Jesus to be set alight in September, and kitsch collages of biblical scenes form this audacious and intense exhibition of Scottish artist David Mach. The exhibition is not overtly religious but filled with social commentary; Mach’s dense, large-scale and fascinating collages evoke the culture of excess and chaos of contemporary society, whilst his colossal, explosive crucifixes capture agony and drama with such startling realism. The exhibition would benefit from more wall information but it nevertheless demonstrates the diversity of Mach’s practice. His London studio has even been relocated to the gallery to prepare the new, monumental collage ‘The Last Supper’. For its intensity and controversy alone, this exhibition is unlike anything else in Edinburgh.

City Art Centre, 30 July – 16 October, 10.00am – 5.00pm (12.00pm – 5.00pm Sun), £5.00, fpp188.
tw rating 4/5
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