Joe Simpson - Musician Portraits
The Royal Albert Hall
29th May 2012 - 10th June 2012
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The Killers Brandon Flowers is amongst a host of famous musicians to feature in artist Joe Simpson’s first solo exhibition in Birmingham at Reuben Colley Fine Arts. Simpson’s ‘Musician Portraits’ collection will then move on to the Royal Albert Hall in London where the preview will feature a live spoken performance from Scroobius Pip – yet another musician Simpson persuaded to take part in the collection.
The show comprises two music-inspired collections: ‘Musician Portraits’ and ‘Almost There’
‘Musician Portraits’
With a confidence and ambition belying his tender years, 26 year old Simpson approached his favourite musicians including Dangerfield, Brandon Flowers of US rockers The Killers, Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, Maxi Jazz, David Gray, Jamie Cullum and Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend) to participate in the series. Simpson met up with each artist and took photographs to work from to create an original oil painting.
Speaking on the idea behind the pieces, Simpson says: “I’ve tried to root each painting in a tradition of painted portraiture – each piece has a quiet, still and almost introspective feel to them. I’ve tried to capture the way that each person held themselves when I met them. Usually I didn’t give the musicians a great deal of direction, or plan how I wanted the piece to turn out. These paintings have a physicality to them that you don’t get with a photograph; the paint has a specific weight and application - you can see layers and brush marks in the hair and skin tones.”
Simpson’s portrait of Maxi Jazz from the series was shortlisted for the prestigious BP Portrait Award 2011. The painting has been exhibited at The National Portrait Gallery as part of the most popular show in the gallery’s history. Because the painting is committed to the BP Portrait Award’s touring exhibition, Simpson created a new, portrait, with Maxi’s permission, for the solo show.
Over a year in the making, the project proved as much a challenge in making contact with the subjects and then persuading them to be a part of the series. The project has taken Simpson all over the country - from musician’s houses and studios - to backstage at arena concerts and festivals - and as far afield as Las Vegas to meet Brandon Flowers.
The ‘Musician Portraits’ will be available to view at the gallery for just under two weeks before moving to The Royal Albert Hall in London for a three week exhibition.
Media Enquiries: Paul Green, 0121 449 3744 paulgreen@colleyisongallery.co.uk
The show comprises two music-inspired collections: ‘Musician Portraits’ and ‘Almost There’
‘Musician Portraits’
With a confidence and ambition belying his tender years, 26 year old Simpson approached his favourite musicians including Dangerfield, Brandon Flowers of US rockers The Killers, Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, Maxi Jazz, David Gray, Jamie Cullum and Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend) to participate in the series. Simpson met up with each artist and took photographs to work from to create an original oil painting.
Speaking on the idea behind the pieces, Simpson says: “I’ve tried to root each painting in a tradition of painted portraiture – each piece has a quiet, still and almost introspective feel to them. I’ve tried to capture the way that each person held themselves when I met them. Usually I didn’t give the musicians a great deal of direction, or plan how I wanted the piece to turn out. These paintings have a physicality to them that you don’t get with a photograph; the paint has a specific weight and application - you can see layers and brush marks in the hair and skin tones.”
Simpson’s portrait of Maxi Jazz from the series was shortlisted for the prestigious BP Portrait Award 2011. The painting has been exhibited at The National Portrait Gallery as part of the most popular show in the gallery’s history. Because the painting is committed to the BP Portrait Award’s touring exhibition, Simpson created a new, portrait, with Maxi’s permission, for the solo show.
Over a year in the making, the project proved as much a challenge in making contact with the subjects and then persuading them to be a part of the series. The project has taken Simpson all over the country - from musician’s houses and studios - to backstage at arena concerts and festivals - and as far afield as Las Vegas to meet Brandon Flowers.
The ‘Musician Portraits’ will be available to view at the gallery for just under two weeks before moving to The Royal Albert Hall in London for a three week exhibition.
Media Enquiries: Paul Green, 0121 449 3744 paulgreen@colleyisongallery.co.uk
