Catalogue
Portraits
Conventional portraits with photographic references are re-invented in these works through drawing painting, and constructed composition, using heightened colour and narrative and symbolic images added to give clues as to who the subject is, and what do they do and know.
Dressed To Dance
Action Portrait of Rocky Bryan dancing at The Hi Hat Club, at The Jazz Cafe. Painted in my temporary underground studio off Southwark Bridge Rd (in 2002), with reference to a charcoal drawing of 1996, which Rocky modelled for at my previous Bavent Rd,Camberwell Studio. Rocky is dressed here ready for a club-outing to Snowboy's 'Hi-Hat' Club, or Perry Louis's 'Messin' Around' at The Jazz Cafe. His outfit typically reflects his wardrobe in those times, with a broad 'Tam' cap, Addidas top, square-toe ankle-boots; - and I particularly relished painting his black & yellow-chequered 'Rupert Bear' trousers. Acrylic on plywood panel. 62cm x 75cm. (1996-2002).The neon blue and bright orange background recalls the the strident decor and harsh lighting of the Jazzcafe with it's grey concrete dance-floor illuminated with background ultra-violet lighting.
