Mark Leckey's new film and Tate exhibition, 'O' Magic Power Of Bleakness' manages to explore youth culture, including his growing up around the rave and Northern Soul scenes in his hometown of Birkenhead, working class life in the North of England and a touching comment on youthful innocence through his projection of a recollection of him and his friends playing out under a motorway bridge during his childhood. All of this is under a reconstruction of that very motorway bridge. The former Turner Prize winner compiles this footage, which reminds me of Shane Meadows collections of historical footage in 'This Is England' with powerful soundtracks, which have a 'punk' edge, despite being mostly electric music (which can be purchased on vinyl at the Tate). Leckey continues to be one of the most exciting and relevant contemporary artists in the UK right now. His footage is edgy and, as the title of the work suggests, pretty bleak, whilst at the same time celebrating the community aspect of these lost communities in an incredibly iconic way. Lecky is an artist that is a vital commentator for a broken Conservative Britain.
