
Collateral’ and ‘Collateral II’ both 115 x 105cm, Acrylic on aluminium composite panel
When did you become interested in Hyperrealism? How long have you been a hyperrealist artist?
I think the first time I was introduced to photorealism was when my college tutor showed me an image of a Chuck Close painting. I was making some work at the time, which was quite realistic and I wanted the painting I was making to resemble the photograph. I don't know why that was what I was aiming for, I think I just wanted it to look real, and at that time I saw a photograph as an accurate representation of reality.
I think it has been a good few years since I have referred to myself specifically as a ‘hyperrealist’. One reason for this is that I'm not entirely comfortable with using the term to describe my work. You can call it what you want, as the boundaries are very blurred. My interpretation of the term when referring to painting, is that the aims for a painting are to resemble a photographic source as closely as humanly possible. Those are not my aims at all. Of course the work could not be possible without the use of photographic sources, but there is more to it than that. My goals for a painting are to present an alternative solution to photography, in which the viewer can have a truer to life experience of a given subject.
What is your artistic process?
My process begins with an idea for a painting, my influences vary from a news article, to an opinion I have on a certain topical current affair, or even just a way I feel about life. Then after collecting various sources of reference material I begin to think about how I could explore the idea through painting, and from there comes some kind of imagery. Once I am happy with the drawing and layout, I then begin painting.
‘Economical Breakdown’, 120 x 100 cm, Acrylic on panel. ‘Frozen Assetts’, Acrylic on aluminium composite panel, 50 x 50 cm
What’s integral to the work of an artist?
I think an artist should attempt to find their own voice and be unique, which in turn will ultimately give them something that people can associate with only that one artist. A key issue which is prominent in today’s market (more so than in times of old) is the dependency an artist has on earning a living to support a particular lifestyle or an existence or family. Equally, it is important not to make too many decisions about the work based on sales, once an artist does that, they become complacent and slaves to a market and are no longer making art. When an artist is able to strike a balance and able to make the work they believe in, whilst being individual, and still having a level of sell-ability, then that is when they will thrive.
Your most recent works are very different to your earlier pieces. How has your work evolved?
My work has changed, make no mistake about that, but there remain some similarities. Aside from the obvious constants such as my colour palette or tonal backgrounds for my still life’s there are some underlying things that have remained that maybe go unseen. Initially my work was about my daily life, and my priorities in life, which were at that time as a young man, training, eating, painting. Looking back at it, life was simple, it isn't so hard to see why my subjects were as they were. In 2014 I began exploring the role that money and politics have on people’s lives the world over. But it is something that affects me too, just like it affects everyone else in this modern day society. As an artist particularly, there are a lot of uncertainties and my position in life now is much different to how it was ten years ago. As a husband, homeowner and a new father, there is a pressure to perform, to earn a living, be a role model and to be the breadwinner. It is a balancing act and a very challenging one to conquer. I think deep down the work now is just as much about my position in life as it was back then, even if it is shrouded with metaphors about world issues. So essentially nothing there has changed. At first glance, yes the work looks different, but what drives the work is the same.
You have talked about your most recent works being an exploration of the idea that we are controlled by money. Can you tell us a bit more about the ‘Makes the World Go Round’ series?
I think this series of paintings came about because of the metaphor and commonly used phrase, ‘money makes the world go round’ or other variations of it which all boil down to the same idea. The more I thought about it, the more it rang true, it does control us all to some extent in this modern world. I made two of these paintings for a show in New York in 2014, but have made more since then. I don't think they were ever intended as a series at all, it just turned out that way, they still seem relevant to me and I currently have two housed at Plus One Gallery.
From left. ‘The Nowness of Forever’, 150 x 105 cm,‘ Point of No Return’, 130 x 110 cm. Both Acrylic on aluminium composite panel.
How do you see your works developing in the future?
I think it is important that my work continues to make a steady progression in whichever way that may be. None of my influences in the art world come from realist painting at all. I’m remaining open to where it will all lead. In terms of the subject matter, I think the ideas as I have said behind the work will always be about telling my story to an extent, but I have no doubt that the imagery I use to do so will naturally evolve. Now that I am a father, my story has changed slightly more so it will be interesting to see if that is reflected in the work. I’d definitely like the work to become more ambiguous, less straight forward and generally something which more people feel able to engage with.
You have spoken before about how you like to distance your creative process from the restraints of a digital camera and instead use a range of sources in order to create the 3D illusion in your paintings. What is it about the use of a camera that you think would do your work an injustice?
For me the camera is a tool which helps me record information. At times there is no other way of recording that information for the things that I am painting. However, to rely solely on a singular photograph as a point of reference can surely only lead to (at best) a painting of equal merit. If that is the case, then why bother? For a painting to be worthwhile, I need to sidestep the flaws that a camera possesses. It is a machine after all not a human being and can only record information within a set of parameters, such as focal length, perspective or range of light. Where a camera cannot process detail due to lack of light, it will generate a black image, when in reality, if we were stood in a space with little light, after a while our eyes would adjust and we would see more than we thought we would be able to do. That is just a very simple example of how limited the camera is. I use it for what I need to use it for but it can’t give all the solutions. Nor should all the solutions be known quantities when the painting is begun, there has to be things which are worked out along the way.
Related artist
- Tumblr
Add a comment
-
-
Blog entries
Johannes Wessmark for American Art Collector
-
Blog entries
Meet the Photorealists
-
Blog entries
Carl Laubin - Homage to Le Corbusier’s Pessac
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Ben Johnson
-
Blog entries
Get Ready for Christmas with the Perfect Stocking Fillers
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Paul Beliveau
-
Blog entries
Alexandra Klimas in Landleven Magazine
Alexandra Klimas paints in tribute to the animal -
Blog entries
POG's Christmas Suggestions
-
Blog entries
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PLUS ONE GALLERY
September 2001 - September 2021 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: David Kessler
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Sergey Piskunov
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Alexandra Klimas
-
Blog entries
Let's Get Ready for Christmas! - Volker Kuhn
November 30, 2020 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: John Salt
-
Blog entries
Feel Like We’re Living in Surreal Times?
Let These 5 Leading Hyperrealist Artists Ground You -
Blog entries
An Interview with Maggie Bollaert
For www.hyperrealism.net -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Andres Castellanos
-
Blog entries
The Story Behind the Painting II: Alexandra Klimas
Hope the Donkey -
Blog entries
Carl Laubin: Elegos
World Trade Centre – Ground Zero -
Blog entries
All You Need is Love!
-
Blog entries
Our December Winter Picks
The ultimate cozy artworks for your living room this winter -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Adolfo Bigioni
-
Blog entries
The Story Behind the Painting I: Denis Ryan
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Young-sung Kim
-
Blog entries
Hiperrealisme | 21 Jun - 30 Sept | Museu del Tabac, Andorra
-
Blog entries
Plus One Gallery, The Piper Building
-
Blog entries
Hyperrealism: Resources for the Artist
-
Blog entries
Happy Mother's Day!
She's looked after you all this time, make sure she knows she special! -
Blog entries
Winter Show
January 17, 2018 -
Blog entries
Photorealism of the 1960s
January 10, 2018 -
Blog entries
The tradition of still life
November 29, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Javier Banegas
November 15, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Tom Betts
November 13, 2017 -
Blog entries
Javier Banegas Private View
-
Blog entries
November News
November 1, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Paul Beliveau
October 25, 2017 -
Blog entries
YOUNG-SUNG KIM
October 18, 2017 -
Blog entries
September News
September 12, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: David Kessler
-
Blog entries
Gallery News!
Simon Hennessey wins the acrylic paint category of the Jackson Painting prize 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Paul Cadden
August 10, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Simon Harling
August 4, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Javier Banegas
July 21, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Francois Chartier
July 10, 2017 -
Blog entries
An Interview with Christian Marsh
June 21, 2017 -
Blog entries
Summer Picks at Plus One Gallery
June 7, 2017 -
Blog entries
PRIVATE VIEW
Tom Martin: Perpetual Motion May 17, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Andres Castellanos
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Steve Whitehead
-
Blog entries
Gallery News!
Carl Laubin is announced as the Winner of the 2017 Arthur Ross Awards for Excellence in the Classical Tradition, in te Fine Art Category. -
Blog entries
Works to Watch
Angus McEwan April 10, 2017 -
Blog entries
Private View
Cynthia Poole: Gold Pieces & other Explorations -
Blog entries
An Interview with Cynthia Poole
March 30, 2017 -
Blog entries
Tom Martin : Sculptural Works
May 31, 2017 -
Blog entries
An Interview with Tom Martin
May 24, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Cynthina Poole
March 22, 2017 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Denis Ryan
-
Blog entries
An Interview with David Finnigan
-
Blog entries
Spring Picks at Plus One Gallery
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Simon Hennessey
-
Blog entries
Plus One Gallery's Top 5 picks this month
-
Blog entries
Winter Show Private View
-
Blog entries
Winter Show: Artists
An Interview with David Wheeler -
Blog entries
Winter Show: Artists
An Interview with JKB Fletcher -
Blog entries
Winter Show
-
Blog entries
MERRY CHRISTMAS
from everyone here at Plus One gallery: Maggie, Colin, Rosie, Scarlett and Archie -
Blog entries
A Sentimental Journey
Carl Laubin's journey in the creation of his solo show -
Blog entries
New destination on the Grand Tour
RIBA J article written by Hugh Pearman -
Blog entries
An Interview with Carl Laubin
November 30, 2016 -
Blog entries
Carl Laubin: A Sentimental Journey Private View
With guest speaker Prof. Adrian von Buttlar -
Blog entries
Countdown to the Carl Laubin Show!
Carl Laubin: A Sentimental Journey -
Blog entries
November News
-
Blog entries
Elena Molinari Interview
Exhibition 'The Alchemy of the Everyday' runs until 19th November November 2nd 2016 -
Blog entries
Private View: Elena Molinari: The Alchemy of the Everyday
-
Blog entries
Elena Molinari: The Alchemy of the Everyday
Invitation -
Blog entries
Elena Molinari: The Alchemy of the Everyday
October 7, 2016Plus One Gallery is delighted to announce 'The Alchemy of the Everyday', the forthcoming solo show by Uruguayan gallery artist Elena Molinari. -
Blog entries
What's New This October
October 4, 2016It has been an exciting year so far and it doesn't look to be slowing down with some fabulous new works from the likes of Alexandra Klimas, Pedro Campos and Roger Watt. -
Blog entries
An Interview with Tom Martin
October 12, 2016Plus One Gallery catches up with hyperrealist Tom Martin to discuss his creative process and why he is keen to distance himself from the restraints of a digital camera. -
Blog entries
Reinterpreting the American Dream in hyperrealism
October 5, 2016 -
Blog entries
Plus One Gallery Official Opening Show
September 22, 2016 -
Blog entries
Opening Show: Battersea Reach
September 15, 2016We are excited to launch the opening show at our new premises in Battersea Reach where a range of exquisite hyperrealist art will be on display. -
Blog entries
A trip down memory lane: Nostalgia in hyperrealism
September 8, 2016Plus One Gallery examines nostalgia and hyperrealism, looking at vintage iconography, items and period images rendered in hyperrealistic art. -
Blog entries
New Artists: New Space
September 1, 2016With the launch of our new premises at Battersea Reach, we are delighted to unveil the work of some of our latest artists. -
Blog entries
An interview with Christian Marsh
-
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Thomas Ostenberg
August 25, 2016A closer look at the work of Thomas Ostenberg, whose sculptures explore the theme of motion and balance, reflecting his personal search for emotional equilibrium. -
Blog entries
How to find us at our new premises in Battersea Reach
August 17, 2016To find Plus One Gallery, please follow these instructions and travel directions. -
Blog entries
Sunshine and seasides: Summer in all of its glory
August 10, 2016The summer months breathe new life into the canvases of hyperrealists, as flowers come into full bloom and coastlines shimmer in the unwavering sunlight. -
Blog entries
REMINDER: SUMMER SHOW PRIVATE VIEW
Tuesday 19th July, 6pm-8pm July 14, 2016 -
Blog entries
How is consumerist culture represented in hyperrealism?
June 29, 2016Built around imagery of recognisable brands, celebrity cults and everyday life, consumerist art is rooted in the present social context. -
Blog entries
Plus One Gallery Summer Show
June 27, 2016 -
Blog entries
Relocation to Battersea Reach
June 23, 2016 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: David Finnigan
June 22, 2016British hyperrealist David Finnigan aims to present a style of realism that is both a progressive and experimental development of that genre. -
Blog entries
An interview with Elena Molinari
June 15, 2016Born in Montevideo, Elena Molinari is best known for her still life paintings of fruit and vegetables, often placed in fruit bowls or alongside glass vases and silk cloths. -
Blog entries
Sweet temptation in Hyperrealism
June 9, 2016Using a sensuous palette of colours and textures, many hyperrealist artists explore temptation, primal pleasures and how food can comfort the soul. -
Blog entries
An interview with Nourine Hammad
June 1, 2016Plus One Gallery interviews hyperrealist artist Nourine Hammad about her unique artistic expression and process. -
Blog entries
In full bloom: flowers and their role in hyperrealism
May 25, 2016Hyperrealists are refreshing the still life genre, invigorating paintings of flowers with contemporary techniques that challenge notions of tradition. -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Craig Wylie
May 20, 2016Craig Wylie has developed a multi-faceted but singular approach to hyperrealism that seizes the appearance of his subjects with tremendous fluency and ease. -
Blog entries
Gallery News: We are relocating!
May 17, 2016 -
Blog entries
Why painting maintains a significant role in a world of instant images
May 11, 2016In a world where high-tech photography and instant photo messaging is available at our fingertips, what does hyperrealism give us that photography cannot? -
Blog entries
A taste of your five-a-day in hyperrealism
April 27, 2016Many hyperrealists explore fruit as a representation the transient nature of life, using colour to remind us of the inevitability of mortality and change. -
Blog entries
The influence of pop art in hyperrealism
April 13, 2016Hyperrealism is often considered an advancement of Pop Art and Photorealism and first came to prominence at the turn of the millennium. -
Blog entries
GALLERY NEWS: We are relocating!
April 7, 2016 -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Mike Francis
Combining hyperrealism and commercial illustration April 6, 2016Mike Francis is a photo realist, with a profoundly contemporary imagination, however his technique is deeply rooted in the Old Masters. -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Christian Marsh
Humane landscape hyperrealism March 30, 2016Christian Marsh's body of work consists of large scale paintings, which explore composite views of various cities around the world. -
Blog entries
The hyperrealist travel guide
March 28, 2016Urban hyperrealism takes the modern metropolis as its subject. It challenges the artist to explore hidden meanings and diversity deeply rooted in society. -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Young-Sung Kim
Challenging society's materialism March 16, 2016Young-Sung Kim produces hyperreal paintings of contrasting subject matters to illustrate the differences between the living and the material. -
Blog entries
Artist in Focus: Cynthia Poole
Examining consumerism with nostalgia March 9, 2016Cynthia Poole’s paintings take food packaging, sweet wrappers and chocolate bars as their subject matter; often with a warm nostalgia for the 1980s confectionery. -
Blog entries
Mother's Day
-
Blog entries
Is there a place for artistic interpretation in hyperrealistic art?
January 12, 2016 -
Blog entries
How does the use of photoshop affect hyperrealistic art?
December 16, 2015 -
Blog entries
The difference between Photorealism and Hyperrealism
November 25, 2015 -
Blog entries
Five of the best hyperrealists on Instagram
November 4, 2015 -
Blog entries
New media being used for hyperrealism
Plus One Gallery explores the new media being used within hyperrealism pieces. -
Blog entries
Cities in Real Life: Urban Hyperrealism
Plus One Gallery examines the impact of street culture, through urban art, and its effect on artistic expression within hyper realism pieces. -
Blog entries
A Brief History of Hyperrealism
August 7, 2015Plus One Gallery recaps Hyperrealism with a brief look at the historical influences and movements that led to modern day hyper realistic art.
-