Lavishly
decorated masks of gold lie on cool
marble, chattering parrots play in
a riot of colour, and a smiling clown looks down from a poster on a young child. These are just some of
the fascinating images that Irish artist
Brian McCarthy portrays in his oil
paintings. His subject matter is strongly
influenced by Surrealism, particularly by
the Belgian artist, René Magritte and
Spaniard, Salvador Dalí both of whose
work he first saw as a teenager. |
I just love
the contradictions and humour in
their paintings. Seeing this art made
me look at things a new way;
These artists were capable of making the
world seem extraordinary.
|
This early influence
can still be seen in his paintings. A
small canary stares innocently at a
hooded falcon, the predator rendered
impotent because of its blindfold. Or the
bored parrots that perch in front of a
faded travel poster that cynically
promises them paradise. It's playful
surrealism but painted in a style quite
different from Magritte; whereas Magritte
painted in a deliberately deadpan
fashion, McCarthy likes to use lots of
vibrant colours and rich textures, more
reminiscent of Dalí. |
I enjoy
painting strange and unusual things.
Why paint the mundane when you can
paint the exotic?
|
A look at any one of
his paintings confirms this - his
subjects include Venetian Masks, tropical
birds and fish, classical architecture,
marble and mosaics. The list goes on.
Light is another important factor in his
work. |
I have long
admired the way artists like Vermeer,
Rembrandt, Velasquez and most of the
old masters were able to use light in
their paintings to create the sense
of atmosphere and space.
|
The old master influence goes beyond his use of light and shadow - it's as though his paintings are a synthesis whereby traditional techniques are fused with his own modern ideas.
Another feature of his work is the use of 'trompe l'oeil', which literally translates as 'something that deceives the eye'. This is where an artist creates the illusion that objects in the painting look as though they are actually on or in front the canvas rather than painted. This effect is most noticeable in his backgrounds, a good example being the painting above.
People have described his work as photorealist, a term he is uncomfortable with. |
The term
'photorealist' doesn't really
describe what I do. To me, painting
in a photographic style is not an end
in itself but rather a means of
turning my ideas into some sort of
reality. I want my paintings to be
accessible to everybody so I paint in
a language that people are familiar
with and can easily understand.
|
As an
artist, McCarthy doesn't take himself too
seriously - his paintings are often
tongue in cheek. |
Art
is never going to change the world
but it can make it more interesting and bring great pleasure to people's
lives.
|
| |
|
| |
|
){kind=link}