Breakfast Under The Tree
Curated by Russell Tovey
Carl Freedman Gallery presents BREAKFAST UNDER THE TREE, an exhibition curated by the actor Russell Tovey.
The exhibition brings together a diverse range of depictions of contemporary social scenes, group portraits and shared spaces, in response to Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe. Populated by characters both real and imaginary, and wide-ranging in style, from neo-realism to cartoonish dreamscapes, they together form a pictorial survey of how we live now.
Highlights of the show include new work by legendary underground feminist artist Caroline Coon, rising stars of the queer New York painting scene Jon Key, Doron Langberg, Ana Benaroya and Salman Toor (recent solo at Whitney Museum of American Art), alongside never-before-seen works by Toyin Ojih Odutola (recent solo at Barbican), Susan Chen, Jeffry Mitchell, Cassi Namoda, Cheyenne Julien and Charmaine Watkiss, the highly detailed social realism of Lenz Geerk and Benjamin Senior (current billboard project at Southbank Centre), the grotesque and unruly ceramics of Lindsey Mendick (shortlisted for the 2020 Pinchuk Future Generation Art Prize), and emerging voices Solo Olulode, Oscar yi Hou and Hannah Quinlan & Rosie Hastings.
The exhibition is supported by Gucci.
Preview
4th June, 5-8pm
Dates
5th June – 5th September 2021
Installation Views


‘Breakfast Under The Tree’ curated by Russell Tovey, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2021-Install-21


‘Breakfast Under The Tree’ curated by Russell Tovey, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2021


‘To all the Kings who have no Crowns’ curated by Jennifer Lauren, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2022


‘Breakfast Under The Tree’ curated by Russell Tovey, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2021


‘Breakfast Under The Tree’ curated by Russell Tovey, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2021


‘Breakfast Under The Tree’ curated by Russell Tovey, Installation View, Carl Freedman Gallery, Margate, 2021
Selected Works


<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
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/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
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img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
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let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
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img.classList.add("zoomed");
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}
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img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
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document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
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document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Benjamin Senior
November (2020)
Egg tempera and cotton on plywood
60 x 50 cm (23.62 x 19.69 in)
November (2020)
Egg tempera and cotton on plywood
60 x 50 cm (23.62 x 19.69 in)



<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
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});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
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}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Benjamin Senior
Red Shop (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
50 x 50 cm (19.69 x 19.69 in)
Red Shop (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
50 x 50 cm (19.69 x 19.69 in)



<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
});
});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.body.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault();
}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Benjamin Senior
The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)
The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)

The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)


<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
});
});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.body.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault();
}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Lindsey Mendick
Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)
Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)

Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)


<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
});
});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.body.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault();
}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Jon Key
Chosen Family No. 1 (2020)
Acrylic on panel
182.8 x 121.9 cm (72 x 48 in)
Chosen Family No. 1 (2020)
Acrylic on panel
182.8 x 121.9 cm (72 x 48 in)



<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
});
});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.body.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault();
}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Jon Key
Chosen Family No. 2 (Wael) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)
Chosen Family No. 2 (Wael) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)



<h1 class='my-heading'>Just some HTML</h1><?php echo 'The year is ' . date('Y'); ?>
@media (hover: none) { /* Ensures this only works on touch devices */
#brxe-anyewf {
transition: transform 0.3s ease-in-out;
}
#brxe-anyewf:active { /* Activates on touch */
transform: scale(1.5); /* Adjust zoom level */
}
}
/* Disable Long-Press Menu on Mobile */
#brxe-anyewf {
-webkit-touch-callout: none; /* Disable long-press menu (iPhone) */
-webkit-user-select: none; /* Prevent text/image selection */
user-select: none;
-webkit-user-drag: none; /* Prevent dragging image */
pointer-events: auto; /* Ensures the image remains interactive */
}
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.querySelectorAll(".zoom-on-tap").forEach(function(img) {
img.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Disable right-click
});
img.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length === 1) { // Only allow single finger touch
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent default long-press behavior
let rect = img.getBoundingClientRect();
let touch = event.touches[0];
let xPercent = ((touch.clientX - rect.left) / rect.width) * 100;
let yPercent = ((touch.clientY - rect.top) / rect.height) * 100;
if (!img.classList.contains("zoomed")) {
img.style.transformOrigin = `${xPercent}% ${yPercent}%`;
img.classList.add("zoomed");
} else {
img.classList.remove("zoomed");
}
}
});
img.addEventListener("dragstart", function(event) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevent image dragging
});
});
});
document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
document.body.addEventListener("contextmenu", function(event) {
event.preventDefault();
}, { passive: false });
document.body.addEventListener("touchstart", function(event) {
if (event.touches.length > 1) {
event.preventDefault(); // Prevents long-press with multiple fingers
}
}, { passive: false });
});
Jon Key
Chosen Family No. 2 (Sharina) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)
Chosen Family No. 2 (Sharina) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)



Benjamin Senior
November (2020)
Egg tempera and cotton on plywood
60 x 50 cm (23.62 x 19.69 in)
November (2020)
Egg tempera and cotton on plywood
60 x 50 cm (23.62 x 19.69 in)



Benjamin Senior
Red Shop (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
50 x 50 cm (19.69 x 19.69 in)
Red Shop (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
50 x 50 cm (19.69 x 19.69 in)



Benjamin Senior
The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)
The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)

The Grocery Stall (2020)
Egg tempera on cotton on plywood
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in)


Lindsey Mendick
Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)
Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)

Cheese Bored (2018)
Ceramic, Papier-mâché, Artificial Brie
56 x 100 cm (22.05 x 39.37 in)


Jon Key
Chosen Family No. 1 (2020)
Acrylic on panel
182.8 x 121.9 cm (72 x 48 in)
Chosen Family No. 1 (2020)
Acrylic on panel
182.8 x 121.9 cm (72 x 48 in)



Jon Key
Chosen Family No. 2 (Wael) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)
Chosen Family No. 2 (Wael) (2020)
Acrylic on Panel
101 x 76 cm (40 x 30 in)

About The Curator
With an extensive background in film, television and theatre, award winning actor Russell Tovey can recently be seen as a leading role in ITV/HULU drama series The Sister, from Luther creator Neil Cross. He was nominated for a 2020 Critic’s Choice Award for best supporting actor for his role in the critically acclaimed BBC/HBO Drama series Years and Years written by Russell T. Davies. He also starred in Bill Condon’s The Good Liar for Warner Bros. opposite Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren and recently completed filming on Sony’s Screen Gems romantic drama Text For You with Celine Dion and Priyanka Chopra. Russell will next be seen this summer in a new West End revival of Nick Payne’s Constellations. As well as acting, Russell is also a published writer and co-hosts the hit art podcast, Talk Art, with friend and gallerist Robert Diament, where they interview leading artists, curators, gallerists, and celebrities about their shared passion.Their first book “Talk Art: Everything You Wanted To Ask About Contemporary Art But Were Afraid To Ask” will be published by Octopus/Hachette on 13th May 2021. This year, Russell will also appear on the judging panel for the 2021 Turner Prize, the prestigious annual art prize presented to a British visual artist.