I have been researching the work of George Shaw, as his ideas resonate with my own. I have watched videos about his practice, including interviews with him. Shaw was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2011 and recently exhibited at the National Gallery through the associate artist scheme.. He speaks very powerfully about what inspires him, and in a down to earth and thought provoking way.
Shaw's work is representational and reflects his upbringing on a Council Estate in Coventry. His images are realistic landscapes of this area and other works inspired by his past and other similar views. He is very much engaged by memory, his Catholic upbringing, and change. His work is devoid of people, but they are there in essence, from things left behind, or as Shaw says, there "like ghosts".
Shaw works in Humbrol paints, which are enamel based, with a very glossy finish. They allow Shaw to depict images with fine detail, and the paints give character to the works and a unique quality. In many ways, Shaw's work is conventional and yet the subject matter and materials used, take his work out of that category. In many ways, Shaw's paintings have an "other worldliness" about them, which suits the subject matter, scenes with feeling and a touch of nostalgia.
Relevance to my work
I have chosen some images, illustrated below, which emphasise key elements which chime with my ideas - such as the relationship between the natural world and humans and the way that human activity is reflected in the landscape. Shaw depicts a banal landscape, but populated by beauty. I was interested to learn that as well as painting, Shaw is also a very effective drawer and printmaker, which forms part of my practice, and is an integral part of it.
George Shaw, Scenes from The Passion: The Blossomiest Blossom, 2001
George Shaw, Scenes from The Passion: Late, 2002
George Shaw, Scenes from The Passion: Time Machine, 2010
George Shaw, Untitled, 2005, Etching
George Shaw, Untitled, 2005, Pencil
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