DAVID ATKINS | London Life

DAVID ATKINS | London Life

London is a fascinating and magnificent place, alive and full of energy. This new body of paintings and drawings reflect my passion for the city, for it’s familiar sights, it’s working environment and for the people who populate it.

I was born in London but no longer live there. Now, more as a visitor I find myself routinely walking through the city; revisiting familiar places and witnessing the ever-changing skyline. The captivating thrill of London still remains. It’s architecture, it’s river, the light and the hustle and bustle of the people still excite and inspire me. In small sketchbooks I hastily scribble, making studies that aim to capture all that I see and delight in.

There is a liveliness and a spirit in the initial sketches that I wanted to retain in subsequent, more reflective work. Large black and white drawings provide a direct response to recreating a London seen in different light and seasons. My aim has been to relate the subject and energy of these cityscapes through a series of resonating marks and gestures. In the paintings, subjects evolve and become part of the drama. Colour is used to depict the time of day and the season. The application of paint hints at the speed of this city, with it’s people most often seen at rush hour.

David Atkins

1 Canary Wharf, Early Autumn oil on canvas 152 x 122 cm (60 x 48 in)

2 Canary Wharf Plaza in the Summer oil on canvas 152 x 178 cm (60 x 70 in)

3 Trafalgar Square in April oil on canvas 122 x 178 cm (48 x 70 in)

4 Crowds in Piccadilly oil on canvas 122 x 178 cm (48 x 70 in)

5 The Embankment on a Summer’s Evening oil on canvas 122 x 152 cm (48 x 60 in)

6 Evening in Piccadilly Circus oil on canvas 91 x 122 cm (36 x 48 in)

7 The Thames ink and acrylic on paper 97 x 132 cm (38 x 52 in)

8 The Southbank in Autumn ink and acrylic on paper 97 x 132 cm (38 x 52 in)

9 Embankment in the Summer ink and acrylic on paper 122 x 122 cm (48 x 48 in)

10 Canary Wharf Underground ink and acrylic on paper 122 x 127 cm (48 x 50 in)

11 Embankment, Summer Evening ink and acrylic on paper 91 x 122 cm (36 x 48 in)

12 Covent Garden Summer ink and acrylic on paper 91 x 122 cm (36 x 48 in)

13 Canary Wharf Morning ink and acrylic on paper 91 x 127 cm (36 x 50 in)

14 Morning Rush Hour, Paddington ink and acrylic on paper 91 x 124 cm (36 x 49 in)

15 View to Tower Bridge ink and acrylic on paper 84 x 112 cm (33 x 44 in)

16 Bedford Street in the Summer ink and acrylic on paper 102 x 104 cm (40 x 41 in)

17 Winter Evening, Haymarket I oil on panel 76 x 66 cm (30 x 26 in)

18 Winter Evening, Haymarket II oil on panel 41 x 30 cm (16 x 12 in)

19 Eros, Summer in London ink and acrylic on paper 41 x 30 cm (16 x 12 in)

20 Evening Standard Seller, Villiers Street oil on panel 46 x 41 cm (18 x 16 in)

21 Piccadilly in the Summer I ink and acrylic on paper 30 x 41 cm (12 x 16 in)

22 Piccadilly in the Summer II ink and acrylic on paper 30 x 41 cm (12 x 16 in)

23 Piccadilly ink and acrylic on paper 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 in) 24 Bedford Street ink and acrylic on paper 30 x 30 cm (12 x 12 in)

25 Morning Light, Canary Wharf oil on panel 30 x 25 cm (12 x 10 in) 26 Evening Light, Canary Wharf oil on panel 30 x 25 cm (12 x 10 in)

1964 Born, Greenwich.England1982-1983 St Martins School of Art, London. Foundation Course1983-1986 Winchester School of Art BA Fine Art First Class Honours Degree in Fine Art, main subject : Painting1993-1995 PGCE Post Compulsory Education.

Solo Exhibitions

2013 Albemarle Gallery, London2012 McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey Fairfax Gallery Tunbridge Wells Red Rag Gallery, Bath2011 Campden Gallery, Gloucestershire McAllisterThomas Gallery, Surrey Fairfax Gallery, Norfolk2010 Albemarle Gallery, ‘Venice’ Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge Wells2009 Campden Gallery, Gloucestershire Fairfax Gallery, Norfolk Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford2008 Albemarle Gallery, London 2007 Fairfax Gallery, Norfolk 2006 Albemarle Gallery, London 2005 Stables Gallery, Northern Ireland Fairfax Gallery, Norfolk2004 Albemarle Gallery, London 2003 Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge Wells Fairfax Gallery, Norfolk2002 Albemarle Gallery, London2001 The White Gallery, Brighton1991 Tall House Gallery, London

Selected Group Exhibitions

2013 The Art of Making, Bournemouth University2012 ‘AQUEOUS’, Albemarle Gallery, London Courcoux and Courcoux, Hampshire1994- 2011 ‘Site Unseen’, Olympic Delivery Authority London McAllister Thomas Gallery, Surrey Red Rag Gallery, Bath Albany Gallery, Cardiff Courcoux and Courcoux, Hampshire Fairfax Gallery, Tunbridge Wells Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Oxford Beaux Arts, Bath

Campden Gallery, Gloucester Stables Gallery, Ireland Laing Landscape Exhibition, London Landmark, A Survey of British Landscape Painting, Bournemouth University

Public Collections

2006 Hampshire County Council Collection Russell Coates Museum, Bournemouth1992 Guild hall, Kingston, London 1986 Creasy Collection, Salisbury Awards

2012 Aesthetica Magazine Competition, Runner Up2011 Aesthetica Magazine Competition, Highly commended2003 The Horan Prize for Painting, Awarded at the NEAC Exhibition, London 2001 The Laing Landscape Award2000 The Facade International Prize for Painting at The Discerning Eye The Chichester Open (Prize Winner) 1999 Bideford Open, Prize Winner.1993 Atlantis Young Artist Award, 1st Prize1986 The Bateson Mason Award for Drawing

Commissions

1986 Four Murals for the GLC at Eltham Park Swimming Pool

Publications

2011 Aesthetica Creative Works Catalogue Public Collections Catalogue. South Dorset County Council Exhibition Catalogue Campden Gallery 2007 Public Collections Catalogue South. Hampshire County Council2002/8 Exhibition Catalogues Albemarle Gallery. Forward by Brian Sewell2002 Laing PLC Calendar 1998 1998 BBC film for Beatrice Royal Art Gallery Artists & Illustrators Magazine, Oct issue

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