Babel

Part of a series of work looking at the Templemeads area of Bristol, the industrial architecture of a bygone age. The tones and textures caught my attention on the way to the hotel, so much so that on checking in I asked the receptionist to change the room number so that I might have a good view of it all.

This is the second series of drawings and paintings to grow from this inspiring city. From the original small sketches I drew these pastels. The pastels will be used to create a larger composition and some paintings in acrylic or perhaps oils we shall see? A scaling up as it were.

As I always travel with some materials with which to draw, on occasion these are augmented with found tools or materials. I had my sketch book with me, so off I went, looking at the views from the hotel window and getting up close to the buildings enjoying their presence. Scaffolding seems to be quite popular with artists over the  centuries, let’s face it the Cistine ceiling could not have been created without it. The small piece of scaffolding reaching up to a tower in such a multi ethnic city. A building which in a previous incarnation had very likely contributed in some way to the slave trade.

This piece appears to show plenty of movement in the tower and building with a fragile looking scaffold. Expressionist colours and mark making provide energy and dynamism.

Pastel on paper 300mm x 370mm

Professionally mounted with back board

Signed on the reverse

September 2024

Shipping and insurance included in the price.