snow aspens +
modern home, 2009
30" x 30"
acrylic on canvas
Artist Statement
Primarily based on American and Australian Modern Architecture and treated in a contemporary manner the latest series of works by Sydney artist Paul Davies features the use of delicate hand-cut paper stencils that provide a perspective, content and detail within a painterly abstract environment. These stencils are created using both Davies’ own and researched photographs.
On return from a recent study exploration of California, Davies work continues to focus on American Modernist Architecture and its profound influence on Australian Modernist design. Davies research tour included visits to Schindler and Eames Houses in Los Angeles where both architects experimented in new ways of appreciating Americas West coast environment. Davies then traveled East to Palm Springs where he visited among others, Richard Neutra’s iconic Kauffman House and Frank Sinatra’s infamous holiday retreat. These buildings constructed in the 1940’s and 50’s feature in Davies paintings and remain vacant of people to reinforce the original idea of its architect, allowing the viewer to experience an “open plan living” ideal. Davies work looks at both the restored and forgotten modernist buildings in a way relevant to today rather than isolating them in their time. In creating this unique style of landscape painting, Paul Davies sights inspiration from some of the world's greatest living artists such as Peter Doig, David Hockney and David Schnell.
Subsequently over the past three years Davies has been commissioned by government and private clients including BYL Companies Philadelphia U.S.A., Historic Houses Trust Australia, Stocklands Australia and Wilson & Hill Architects New Zealand to interpret particular iconic Modern buildings across America and other countries. Recent publications include Art & Australia, Art World, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Belle, Wish, Inside Out, Urbis, and Yen magazine as part of the China Heights Collective – an artist run studio space and gallery located in Sydney’s Surry Hills where Davies has worked since it began in 2004.
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Born: 1979, lives and works Sydney Australia.
Qualifications and training:
Bachelor of Fine Arts, UNSW College of Fine Arts, 2000
Painting Master Class, National Art School, 2006
Solo Exhibitions:
Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London June 2010
Lawrence Asher Gallery, Los Angeles February 2010
The Cat Street Gallery, Hong Kong November 2009
Tim Olsen Gallery, Woollahra May 2009 Tim Olsen Gallery, Woollahra April 2008
Tim Olsen Gallery Paddington March 2007
Tim Olsen Gallery Paddington June 2006
blank_space Gallery, Surry Hills December 2005
blank_space Gallery, Surry Hills May 2005
First Draft Gallery, Surry Hills December 2004
Two Step Gallery, Newtown June 2004
Space3 Gallery, Chippendale November 2003
Group Exhibitions:
Hong Kong Art Fair, The Cat Street Gallery, 2009
Affordable Art Fair Paris, Rebecca Hossack, 2009
Hamptons Art Fair Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery 2009
Toronto Art Fair Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery 2009
London Art Fair, Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery 2009
Affordable Art Fair Brussels, Rebecca Hossack, 2009
Finalist ABN-AMRO Emerging Artist Award 2008Melbourne International Art Fair 2008, Tim Olsen
University of Sydney PALM Awards 2008
2 X 2, Tim Olsen Gallery Woollahra 2008
100th Heights, China Heights Surry Hills 2007
Across the Board 2007, Cancer Council, Wallspace Gallery, Surry Hills
Group show December 2006, Tim Olsen Gallery
Melbourne International Art Fair 2006, Tim Olsen Gallery
