Imaginary Journeys. Abstract landscapes by Nigel Shipley

About

Nigel has propelled his art in a new direction with a collection of abstract paintings which suggest imaginary landscapes. Since 2005, Nigel has painted with an energetic style that has continually evolved. Well known for his Bristol city scapes and dancers, this new work is as dynamic as ever with paint applied by strokes of a pallet knife or splashed across the surface. In some of these paintings, he has experimented with applying oil paint to an acrylic base resulting in natural cracks emerging in the paint, reminiscent of fissures raku pottery. In others wet paint was allowed to run across the surface. These marks pile colours such as bright red, indigo, or turquoise on top of each other and create impressions of depth and landscape.

It is not clear where these places are or what exactly you are looking at. Nigel Shipley says: 'My images suggest other worlds that could be in the distant past, the future, in outer space, sunlight shining to the bottom of the sea, or dark moody scenes of mountains, or forests. My aim is to let ambiguity thrive and allow for different interpretations'. 'This project has been inspired by the work of artists such as Gerhard Richter, Frank Auerbach, and Jackson Pollock'.

• Paintings are of oil on board, measure from 50 – 100 cm wide and can be previewed at www.nigelshipley.com.

• Nigel Shipley can be contacted at nigelshipley13@gmail.com or on 07909874586. He studied at Harrow and Norwich Schools of Art. He has exhibited in galleries in Bristol and the South West, and his work is held in collections throughout the UK and Europe.