My drawing and painting practice communicates a range of stories, human & personal emotions at a strange and worrying juncture in history. Using bold colours mixed with muted washes, my images are narrative based with an ambiguous and brooding atmosphere. Using my sketchbooks, family snapshots and found images as a starting point, I create layered, figurative portraits and tableaux that seem familiar yet unknown.
My practice aims to help me understand my conflicted upbringing in conservative middle England and the creative metropolitan career I chose to follow as a photographer for the last 30 years. Issues concerning mental health and insecurity as well as societal concerns are addressed in my work.
Recent projects include 'Born Evil?', a series of child portraits of divisive figures including Borris Johnson, Vladimir Putin & Adolf Hitler. Other work includes surreal landscapes based on old family photographs combined with modern day symbolism.
I’m based in Hackney, east London and currently completing a 2 year advanced painting course at The Essential School of Painting after attaining a distinction in MA Fine Art at Chelsea School of Art.
All works on this website © Alan J Powdrill 2024
Use or reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.