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Part of events on ArtRabbit in: London, Augusta

Chris Rivers is a painter of sumptuously-coloured, turbulent skyscapes. The expressively- handled paint describes seething clouds, mists and vapours. Cyclones of elemental matter billow through an indeterminate void. On closer inspection however, tiny figures can be seen caught up in the maelstrom. Our perception of the paintings oscillates between the sublime vastness of nature and small-scale incidents of human jeopardy and disaster. This is in an old-master tradition of embedding memento mori, which are not at first apparent. British-born Rivers initially pursued a successful career as a professional rock drummer. He began painting in 2014. In a few short years he has developed a particular vision through a thorough and skilful manipulation of the painting process. He uses the descriptive plasticity of oil paint to achieve a rich and seductive effect. Shards, slicks and clots of vibrant colour contrast with sweeping, shadowy passages of sombre earths, maroons and grey-blacks. Impasto swirls and blotches are set against fields of richly- variegated sky-blues and silvery, tonal greys.

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