Castle Fine Art is hosting the grand opening of its first Summer Exhibition this August, at their flagship Mayfair gallery.
Opening its doors on Thursday 14th August, it will display a diverse collection of artwork, exploring a diverse range of media including sculpture, painting and photography. The exhibiting artists come from all over - from round the corner in Soho to Kailua.
We landed an exclusive interview with painter Allan Banford, one of the participants in this contemporary exhibition.
How did your art career begin?
I have been painting since I remember but I was not serious about it until more recently. My background was actually in music production and online media, but I'm drawn to painting because of the connection between my perspective and the spectator perception.
Can you tell us a little bit about your paintings for the Summer Exhibition?
The paintings selected for the Summer Exhibition are the Perspective Scenarios series, and were all made with acrylic paint on wood and heavily varnished.
The Challenger
The first is The Lonely Star. It represents the mental journey of every human being to reach something that is further than expected. I used acrylic paint and then varnished it to give a surreal texture that blends with the atmospheric scenario of the unknown.
The second, Challenger, is a painting that roams the dark seas, sending pulses down into the depths of the ocean and becoming familiar with a journey that has never been made before. It is probing our environments, making sense of our surroundings, or just understanding our existence area few of the challenges of life – and a few challenges of painting.
Silvermoon is the final one.The moon shines sharp and consistent through the shadows over the dark mysterious sea, the light gently touching the magnificent red sky, reminding us that we are not alone - especially when everything is unknown.
Silvermoon
What are your favourite paints and brushes to work with?
I'm a big fan of Liquitex acrylic paints because they dry quickly and the end result - after thick varnishing - is bright and deep. I work on Winsor & Newton canvas and Awagami wood canvas and I have developed my own technique called Laceration. It involves many layers, big sponges, paintbrushes and water to reach the desired effects.
Who are your artistic heroes?
So many different ones! Classical painters like Rembrandt and JMW Turner, but also those who embraced the pop side of art, Warhol and Mondrian. But Vincent Van Gogh from the Yellow House is my greatest influence.
The Lonely Star
Feeling Inspired?
The Summer Exhibition will run from Friday 15th August to Sunday 21st September.
The Private View will take place on Thursday 14th August, 6-9pm at Castle Fine Art, Mayfair.
If you want to attend, you can register your interest on the gallery's website by Friday 1st August. Places are limited and will be confirmed by a postal invitation.