Phillip Allen, Mind Gym Spill Zone, 2009
oil on board, 51 x 51 cm
Interest and acclaim for Phillip Allen's individualistic brand of modernist psychedelic painting has grown steadily over the last decade. His distinct paintings depict an imagined space which is always framed at the top and bottom by luscious rosettes of thick paint that allude to the idea of a paradisiacal garden but also to paint itself and its sculptural qualities.
Born in London in 1967, Phillip Allen has, since leaving the Royal College of Art in 1992, gained considerable international acclaim for his approach to contemporary painting. His work redresses and reinvigorates pictorial conventions, merging the traditions of abstraction and traditional landscape painting, in a highly developed and individual manner. His paintings are characterized by patterns and shapes reminiscent of cartoon imagery and by bold, acidy colours applied as fine, thin veils of paint and gobbets of rich impasto.
Images frequently refer to drawings previously made and to paintings already made. A series of the artist's small colourful drawings are also being exhibited.
Phillip Allen has had solo shows at Zavier Hufkens, Brussels, 2007; Milton Keynes Gallery, Milton Keynes, UK 2006; Kerlin Gallery, 2005; The Approach Gallery, London in 2008, 2004, 2002; PS1 New York 2003. Group shows include -'Echo Room', British Council Exhibition, Madrid, Spain 2007; 'Abstract', Mitchell, Innes & Nash Gallery, New York 2007; the British Art Show 6 at BALTIC 2005/06; 'Stay Positive' at Marella Arte Contemporanea, Milan, Italy 2004; 'Post Flat - New Art from London'; Lock's Gallery, Philadelphia 2003; 'Another Shitty Day in Paradise'; Bart Wells Institute, London; The Royal Academy, London 2002.
Philip Allen
Until 4 July
Kerlin Gallery
Dublin
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