Current Commission - Work in progress

I'm currently working on a private commission for a house in the town of Burford. The brief was to devise a work that responded to the local life/history of the town. The research turned up some interesting historical facts, ranging from links to Cromwell and the Levellers to a famous art collection but the one that really attracted me was that the town is believed to be the location that CharlesII met with his mistress Nell Gwyn and he subsequently named their first born the Duke of Burford. It is at a very early stage, but here are some preparatory sketches inspired by portraits of these historical figures.

UCL Art Musuem.

The impact of the research residency at the museum is still showing through in the studio, here is a recent painting made from sketches and photographs from the collection.

After hours, acrylic on panel, 2014

KF Collection

An old commission but one that I am fond off. This is a screen print designed for the KF Collection.

 

The piece is a transcription of Catherine the Great, After Alexander Roslin, an C18th painting in the collection. Taking an interest in how authenticity can be so changeable, (the work had been listed as both by and after in Christies catalogues from varying decades) I researched images of the work that was believed to be the original and made a series of ‘variable’ screen prints. Although a series of 10, they all differ slightly and may even go unnoticed by a less observant eye. The piece subtly questioned the relationship between an original and a copy.

Top image, Catherine, Variable Screen Print, 1/10, acrylic on paper, 2010

Bottom image, in situ Kardo-Findlate Collection, London 2010

Chisenhale +30

Some pics from the Open Studio weekend

One of the highlights of the events was the Matthew Collins talk

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Alchemist was selected by Humphrey Ocean RA, and hung in the small Weston room across from Richard Long's work 'Cornwall Spiral'

Becoming Picasso Workshop

As part Courtauld Gallery Late events during the Becoming Picasso exhibition I have been invited to run a series of drawing workshops on 7th March / 18th April / 23rd May.

Here are some pics of the first workshop, where a lot of fun and great drawings were made throughout the evening. I wish I could have a Harlequin in my studio everyday! 

Working with a wonderful actor we worked to bring a Parisian Bohemian feel to the main gallery. Taking inspiration from the Harlequin series of paintings, a tableau vivant was created where a cheeky harlequin danced and posed throughout the evening for visitors to draw.

Conran Blog

I stumbled across this Conran site this week  www.weareconran.com Where they have a nice mention of painting 'In Company' in their blog discussing the design of the Old Bengal Warehouse.