Eclecticism
I am a painter of modern life.
Like all lives it has many strands. These are not woven according to an understood formula or pattern; they are chaotic.
The content of my work concerns the human condition. My recent paintings are representations of relationships between people and their environment. Some use barren landscapes that point to neglect or indifference. Others depict interiors where the collection of art conveys power.
There is a strong thread of eclecticism running through my work. I use figuration and abstraction. I draw on centuries of artistic tradition. I use allegory, symbolism, and narrative. This reflects my interests and my education in art and science.
Chaos
Mathematicians study chaotic systems in an attempt to determine underlying patterns. As an artist, I attempt to find some sense of order amongst the chaos of information overload. It is often confusing and exhausting.
Yet, I am learning not to worry about this state of mind. I now find it easier to make choices about what I will include or exclude. Moreover, I no longer think I can establish a universal truth. That was modernism in a nutshell. As a student, Clement Greenberg was the high priest of abstract painting. I too fell under his influence, and it took a long time to escape from his shadow.
Postmodernism
Does any of this make my work postmodern?
Postmodernism is a term used to refer to a variety of artistic, cultural, and philosophical movements that claim to mark a break from modernism. They have in common the conviction that it is no longer possible to rely upon previous ways of depicting the world.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postmodernism
I have no all-encompassing definition for postmodernism. Instead, I view my life as delineated by chaos and information overload. My eclectic paintings depict a view of that life, a modern life, nothing more than that.
Essays about my work can be found here.
Selected Exhibitions
2023, London Art Biennale 2023 – ICAC Art Critics Award Winner
2021, #Shape of the New, Virtual Exhibition
2017, This England and Other Edens, Martyrs’ Gallery, Lewes (solo)
2015, Capturing the Spectacle: Paintings of Modern Life, Hop Gallery, Lewes (solo)
2014, John Moores Painting Prize 2014, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
1995, Woodlands Art Gallery, London
1994, Angela Flowers Gallery, London (solo)
1991, Wolfson College, Oxford
1991, Bruton Street Gallery, London
1989, Sandra Higgins Gallery, London (solo)
1989, Camden Art Centre, London (solo)
1984, Camberwell Printmakers, Intaglio Printmaker, London
1983, Stowells Trophy, Royal Academy of Arts, London
Education
Art
1984-85, Postgraduate Printmaking, Camberwell College of Art
1981-84, BA Fine Art Painting, Camberwell College of Art, London
1980-81, Foundation Course, Camberwell College of Art, London
Science and Technology
2000-2001, Diploma in Computing, The Open University
1970-73, BSc Aeronautical Engineering, The City University London
Teaching
Art
1991-94, BA Fine Art, Camberwell College (The London Institute)
Science and Technology
2000-05 BSc Software Engineering, The Open University, Arab Open University, Oxford University, University of Hertfordshire