GET TO KNOW THE ARTISTS IN OUR LOVE EXHIBITION
Our ongoing interview series with the artists behind our latest exhibition helps us to learn more about what “love” means to them.
British artist Alistair Canvin first burst on to the scene in 2023 with his debut exhibition Do Not Over Inflate. At first glance his photorealistic paintings recall shared memory with familiar textures and shapes. With subversion at the heart of his practice, Canvin disrupts them with chaos though; a disfiguring strike, or the slow decay of time.
What does the word “love” mean to you?
To steal it from Whitney Houston, ‘Love Will Save The Day’.
Where does your love of art come from?
An inbuilt need to try to seek understanding in the beautiful and the absurd. Art offers another lens to the world, and gives us the opportunity to play with it.
Was there an exhibition or artist that influenced your outlook on the arts?
As a child, seeing David Hockney's 'A Bigger Splash' for the first time, and then years later his major exhibition at the Royal Academy. Two formative moments which made me want to pursue being an artist.
What’s inspiring you in life right now?
Taking walks without a destination, and to just enjoy absorbing the surroundings. There's a therapeutic form to it which allows creativity to naturally evolve.
What project are you currently working on?
I'm excited to be in the process of building a new body of work, and am currently creating reference material for it.
Who is your favourite artist?
Christian Rex Van Minnen.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?
Being an artist is my dream, so I'd probably be being a nightmare.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
All compliments are the best.
What do you like to collect?
Acrylic paint by Golden.
What are three things you can’t live without?
Family, friends, and a margarita.
