Paul Davies and Simon Wilkes are in the course of completing
their B.A.Hons course in Design/Illustration and are currently arranging
an exhibition of their works called "Third Degree".
Both Paul and Simon previously
completed O.N.D. and H.N.D. illustration courses at
Wrexham college of art and design, in North Wales UK.
Here they were expected to achieve a high standard in
the use of different media before specialising in a
specific area.
Paul had already worked for seven
years as a commercial printer, and typesetter before
returning to college. It was not until his second
year, however, that he truly began to appreciate
printmaking as a serious medium. He has grow to
believe, in this time, that printmaking remains one
of the most under used art forms, which he finds both
astounding and rather annoying.
Printmaking now accounts for approximately 90% of Paul’s
work, and his inspiration is taken from both contemporary and classical
printmakers , along with painters such as Helnwein, Bacon and Marshall
Arisman.
His early work’s were quite
personal to him. The demise of the local industries
in North Wales led to a series lino cuts and
drypoints, showing the dejection felt by the now
unemployed mineworkers. They posses a solemn or even
repressive feel and are predominately portraiture.
The next series of prints were a
complete contrast - coloured drypoint/etchings, based
on the theme of monkeys. He used the play on words
sayings , such as, ‘monkey bars’,
‘monkey nuts’, and ‘monkey
business’ to make both serious and fun
statements about the primates.
Shortly after this, Paul became
interested in mixed media techniques. The subject matter being influenced
by historical stone carvings and engravings with obvious references
to early religious philosophy. His compositions use the framing of one
image inside another. In The Old Man And The Sea he has combined areas
of collagraph drypoint/etching and monoprint and in his most recent
works, such as The Angel, he has developed tactile and textural elements,
contrasting heavy embossing alongside tight detail.
Simon Wilkes is particularly
interested in caricature and distortion in art. This
can be seen in his lino cuts which represent three
years of growth and development. In the past Simon
was keenly interested in the pursuit of realism, but
began
to realise that pin sharp accuracy
for the sake of it was redundant. So, after five
years of chopping and changing his style, Simon is
now happy with his current working methods.
For further details on the show
either telephone;
Hanover Galleries (0151) 709 3073
or e-mail Paul on AA940142@newi.ac.uk
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