Event detail
Greyhound I, mixed media on paper (c) William Foyle
William Foyle’s first solo show will feature over 35 watercolours, mixed media works and oil paintings, exhibiting the extraordinary breadth of work already realised by this talented emerging artist.
Intimate portraits of Mr Sim, Louis the dog, close friends and family will be shown at Gallery 8 in St. James’s, London, 16 – 20 October 2012. William Foyle is represented by Leonora Martin Fine Art.
“Through my painting I want to capture a feeling, a sense of reality that is more than simply what we can immediately see in front of us. I paint every day, without exception. I become absorbed in my paintings, and find myself captivated by my next painting at every stroke of my current one. Painting is something I can’t always control…it comes without you wanting it to.”
William Foyle
Situated in the heart of St. James’s, Gallery 8 is just a stone’s throw away from international auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's, as well as the Royal Academy of Arts at the top end of Duke Street. The area, renowned for its diverse and eclectic hub of galleries, is an apt setting in which to exhibit these astonishing portraits for the very first time.
Taking inspiration from the likes of Francis Bacon, Foyle strives constantly in his portraiture to portray the ‘essence’ of his sitters. In the very earliest stages of his artistic career Foyle has already developed a highly recognisable painting style. Beginning with a flat underlay, Foyle swiftly overlays blocks of wet oil paint to mark out the sitter’s features, finally using finer details to instil a sense of emotion – the ‘essence’.
A devoted artist from a young age, Foyle has already been recognised for his remarkable talent within some of the most prestigious circles of the art world.
“One of the delights in life is to discover young talent and watch its development. William has a commitment and obsession for painting which I am sure will bear ‘fruit’. This is an exhibition of work which is full of ambition and energy. I wish him success and look forward to watching his career with interest.”
Terry New, Head of Fine Art Royal Academy Schools (2001 – 2011), President of the Royal British Society of Sculptors
“There is quality and meaningfulness in these varied works by the young artist William Foyle who shows considerable talent and promise. Portrait heads executed in vigorous and vibrant impasto reveal an assurance with the materials and methods of painting that he is rapidly developing. This positive handling is shown also in some of the densely painted landscapes. Deep banks of brooding foliage, the very essence of greenness and abundant growth. Either of these subject directions could prove fruitful and significant for William as a future area to develop his work and consolidate a richly meaningful and personal style.”
Professor Maurice Cockrill, RA, Keeper of the Royal Academy of Arts 2004-2011
The exhibition is curated by Diane Shiach and will be accompanied by a catalogue featuring contributions by Terry New and Professor Maurice Cockrill.
http://williamfoyle.com
