The Griffin Art Prize
Painting. This has always been a noun that caused me many a headache – like wet oil on canvas. It is the first medium people associate with being an artist; the first thing I am presumed to be skilled in; the one thing that I have always been afraid to try; the idealistic dream of a garden dwelling bohemian artist; the medium the art school often discredits; and the chosen medium of the unattainable old masters. But after visiting the Griffin gallery tonight, the paintings on display were like taking a strong paracetamol and standing before that same oil canvas three weeks after it has dried and been freshly glazed. Simply refreshing.
The gallery is found near Shepherds Bush tube station in London and every year hosts the Griffin Art Prize: an exhibition and residency award in painting and drawing supported by the world’s leading fine art brands; Winsor & Newton, Liquitex and Conté à Paris. This year’s selected artists were from an eclectic bunch of schools of thought; each pursuing different techniques. I was blown away by the breadth of ideas. Previously I would have considered painting as a medium with lesser potential for pioneering new and exciting techniques or concepts. I appear to have been mistaken. The collection of works were so varied and full of new ideas: it was a Pandora’s box of potential pioneers.
It was a privilege to witness the buzz of the opening night and see the smiles on the faces of the artists. I was especially chuffed to talk with Alistair Gordon about his paintings and see them up close and personal. They are mind blowing pieces of pure pioneered skill. Alistair sees painting as a cultural artefact: they are paintings about paintings. Upon the wooden board the paint holds an illusion and the eye has to battle with seeking out evidence of his process. Your eye sees the paint but your mind registers it as the object it claims to be. Is it paint or is it tape? Is it a painting of postcards or are they actually postcards. The illusion is magnificent. Quodlibet. Alistair is an outstanding artist.
Jack Otway also stood out for me. He builds mechanical devices that affect the movement of his hands while painting. Such an innovative idea. The textures and repetition of pattern in his petite paintings are described by Jack as “screen wipes in constant flux”. The effect is mesmerising and enraptures your eyes within the painting. They hold such allure.
Zsofia Schweger was the overall winner of Griffen Art Prize 2015. Her paintings pulled me into the canvas as if I was looking through a window into the interior of another room. The flat bloc colours alienate your eyes and left me feeling a little uncomfortable but I believe that is what Zsofia was trying to create. Reductive and inquisitive bloc spaces.
Perhaps I should not dismiss painting so quickly. It is time to dust off my paints and brushes and take a brave pioneering step into the unknown.
