The traditional meaning of the word ‘masterpiece’ is a work considered an artist's best or most representative and Paul Wright richly deserves the title. Paul Wright has exhibited at Modern Artists Gallery, since the early stages of his career, and enjoyed his first solo show at the gallery in 2006. The success of the show prompted his successful entry to the BP National Portrait Award and his career has snowballed at an astonishing rate since. Critical affirmation of this artists’ work has come not just via the National Portrait Award but also inclusion among the hallowed walls of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, London’s Discerning Eye exhibition and a recent stint as Artist in Residence at Texas University.
With portraiture the energy of the sitter seems to be barely constrained by the canvas. Sweeping strokes of the palette knife dissolve and re-form across the picture space to form a fleeting glimpse of the protagonist. Wright has approached these portraits with a more abstracted perspective, seemingly dismantling the features before reforming the image. This allows him to successfully capture the sense of a person's life as well as their appearance and character. Perhaps the reason for Wright’s budding success is his relentless need to constantly challenge himself, re-evaluate and progress his technique.
'I seek to capture a vitality beyond the establishment of a mere likeness to the subject. Whilst I appreciate the importance of the individual being recognisable, the subjects are glimpsed rather than exposed, their inner selves hinted at but ultimately inscrutable.
Though I often work on a large, potentially imposing scale, the work remains approachable through fluency of brush mark and a rich palette. The spaces the subjects inhabit are often indeterminate, providing an atmosphere that allows for ambiguity of psychological state. The subjects retain their integrity and yet a sense of intimacy is evoked.'
Paul Wright has emerged as an accomplished and immensely talented artist; a defiant standard-bearer for the qualities of technique, craftsmanship, colour and texture in painting. Although he is clearly influenced by the best traditions of fine art, his approach is individual, contemporary and powerful. Darryl McCarthy Art Critic/Collector
Paul Wright (b. Leicester, UK 1973)
1992 - 1995 BA Illustration Falmouth School of Art
1991 - 1992 Foundation Studies Loughborough College of Art and Design
Two time shortlister for the National Portrait Gallery BP Award 2006 and 2015
Commission
Over the years Paul Wright has been commissioned by public organizations and private individuals to produce paintings for their collections, these works are predominantly 'HEADS' but also include a range of other subjects.
Paul Wright welcomes all inquiries regarding commissions and is always happy to discuss individual requirements.
Paul Wright is a British Artist represented by
Modern Artist Gallery Whitchurch on Thames Oxfordshire
Thompsons Galleries London and Aldeburgh
Rutland Art Centre
Collection
Accenture
Leicestershire Health Authority
Modern Artists Gallery
P&O
Prudential
Rutland County Council
Smith and Williamson
Standard Chartered Bank
Texas State University
The Plain and the Mountain - after Turner - Oil on linen - 304.8x330cm/120x130in.
£8,500.
Chatterbox -110x85x5cm - Oil on linen
ENDANGERED SPECIES
Constellation -160x185cm - Oil on linen
Endangered Orangutan - Oil on linen -75x90cm/29.5x35.5in. Otherwise known as Clyde
ENDAGERED SPECIES
Estuary after Turner - Oil on Linen - 100x40cm /39x55ins
Illuminated Landscape - after Turner - Oil on linen-51x55in/130x140cm
A Smaller Torsten - £3200 - Acrylic on paper - Image size: 22x22in -
Framed/Glazed. 72x73cm / 28.5x29in.
From the Other Side of Town - £4250 - Oil on board - 67x60cm - 26.5 x 22.5in
A Bigger Mark - £5850 - Oil on canvas - 99x80cm/39x31in
The Beard - £4250 - Acrylic on paper - Image size: 126x80cm/50x80in.
Framed/glazed -144cmx98cm /56x98in
My Polar Bear - Oil on linen - 170 x 170cm /5ft inches x7inches x 5ft 7nchesi
ENDANGERED SPECIES
My Polar Bear. Recent research states Polar Bears are surviving despite lack of sea ice for most of the year. (learning how to fish out of water)
MY POLAR BEAR - oil on linen - 170x170cm/
Endangered Species
A Classical Head - Oil on board - 80x55cm/30x32in
In the Spotlight - £4850 - Oil on canvas /90x70cm/35.5x27.5in
Moving Figure - £4500 - Oil on board - 80x55cm/32x22in.
CLASSICAL HEADS THOUGOUT FEBRUARY 2024
Gentleman - £2500 - Oil on board - 32x32cm/12.5x12.5inches
Peter Pan - £4250 - Acrylic on paper - 95x90cm/37x36 inches - Framed and Glazed
The Explorer - Reserved - Acrylic on paper - 56x56cm - Framed /glazed
3250
Two Chairs and a Door - £4200 - Oil on Linen - 70x100cm/28x40 inches
Yellow Landscape - after Gainsborough - £6750 -100x120 cm/39.5x47.5in - Oil on canvas
From Above - Oil on canvas 120x120cm/47x47inches £6750.
Television Room - £4500 - 60x80cm/24x31 inches - Oil on board
I Used To Love These - £6,000 - Oil on linen-90x90cm/36x36 inches
White China - £2500 - Oil on board - 24x30cm/9.5x12in.
Round Head - £4500 - Oil on canvas - 70x100cm/27x40 inches
My Polar Bear - The original before lockdown - 170x170cm - Oil on canvas
Orange and Green - reserved - Oil on linen 60x80cm/23x31 in
Paul Wright Paintings- Ray Church Ceramics - Gallery Image
Ray Church Ceramics 3 Vases (handthrown) in the style of Ancient Greek Black-glazed pottery. Paul Wright Landscape, Yellow after Gainsborough, Paul Wright , Blue Opening, Paul Wright, Summer Landscape
My Tiger - 160x70cm - Oil on canvas - Private Collection
George - Monochrome 2nd Version-Oil on linen-120x120cm/48x48in
Private collection
Paul Wright 'Silent Pool' - Gaila Adair 'The Neverending Day'
Private Collection
Private Collection -
Paul Wright Materspiece 2012 Exhibition
Frontispiece: Smudge Oil on board 30 x 26 cm
Back cover: ‘I can’t believe that I have blown up the pears again’
Oil on board 29 x 34 cm Both titles sold.
PAUL WRIGHT MASTERPIECE 2012
2012 Exhibition
Paul Wright & Sue Bartlett Exhibition 2010
Frontispiece:
