Paul Wright

Studying illustration at University College Falmouth and graduating in 1995, Paul Wright spent the next two years moving away from illustration and towards painting, predominantly from the figure.

During the next six years Paul lived and worked in Bristol building a body of work that progressively moved towards a broader painterly expression.

Paul exhibited in the 2006 National Portrait Award exhibition in London , Two solo exhibitions followed during this year. Selected in 2008 by the Royal Society of Portrait Painters as a guest exhibitor for the Society’s annual exhibition.

2009 has seen Paul take on the role of part time lecturer at Loughborough University alongside being selected for the Discerning Eye exhibition. 2009 will also see the release of Paul Wright ‘Paintings’, a monograph of the artist, focusing on developments made within his practice over the last few years

In 2010 Paul will be artist in residence at the State University of Texas, USA, this visit will incorporate an exhibition of recent portraits.

Paul Wright continues to gain recognition through gallery representation with work in national and international public and private collections. Continuing to develop his practice through his engagement in projects, workshops talks and residences.

Artists Statement

After training as an Illustrator, I have spent the last decade developing a painterly language through which I seek to capture a vitality beyond the establishment of a mere ‘likeness’ to the subject. Whilst I appreciate the importance of the individual being recognisable, the subjects are glimpsed rather than exposed, their inner selves hinted at but ultimately inscrutable.

Though I often work on a large, potentially imposing scale, the work remains approachable through fluency of brush mark and a rich palette. The spaces the subjects inhabit are often indeterminate, providing an atmosphere that allows for ambiguity of psychological state. The subjects retain their integrity and yet a sense of intimacy is evoked

Some of Paul's work