Local born artist exhibits in City after over three decades of absence

Aug. 17, 2012 - PRLog -- Birmingham-based auction house Biddle & Webb has always been proud to sell pieces of art created by local artists although sadly most of the canvasses coming under the gavel have been created by the ones that are no longer living.

That’s all about to change as from the 1st to the 7th September the Ladywood saleroom will be exhibiting work from the acclaimed artist David Hunter, who was born in Birmingham but has spent over 20 years away working in a studio group in Germany.

Prior to his German travels David spent some time establishing the Knighton Lane Studio Group in Leicester. The artist was compelled to return to the UK to care for his disabled mother and was unable to exhibit any of his work due to demands on his time.

The exhibition of David Hunter`s work is a unique chance for art enthusiasts, buyers and collectors to see a selection of the large body of work he has produced whilst abroad and also pieces he has created in his studio in South Yardley.

A selection of sculptures, paintings and mono-type prints will be included in the one-man exhibition where the artist has used a range of mediums to create his versatile three and two dimensional work. He is well renowned for using different experimental techniques for stunning visual effect.

Biddle & Webb’s managing director, Jeremy Thornton, is very excited that the artist’s diverse and often experimental repertoire of art will be exhibited in Birmingham, and particularly proud to host the exhibition. Mr Thornton said; “It is a first for us to act as an arts venue and if it is successful it maybe something that we will replicate in the future. The diversity of David’s work as a contemporary artist embraces a range of experimental techniques as well as different mediums and genres and is very exciting indeed.”

Mr Hunter’s work has received fantastic reviews in Germany where art critics have alluded to the word “vielzeitig” which when translated means versatile, which is a concept the artist has valued and developed naturally throughout his 30 years of experience.

He said: ”One avenue I have explored extensively is printing with cloth. This can range from slapping pieces of clothing soaked in oil paint onto primed board or canvas, to arranging them and pressing them underfoot onto the picture surface. The results never fail to stimulate the imagination, often  they can stand on their own as a finished work, but usually I will see figures or animals, or some kind of scene will appear that will be the starting point for a painting. In the finished work you may see no evidence of the original cloth print or it may still describe some of the main elements in the painting.”

Other elements of his work are based on traditional themes within the context of art history, for example established figures from mythology such as a life size wooden Minotaur and the Harpies that Jason and the Argonauts fought.  The depiction of human figures with animal heads recurs as a theme in the artist’s work.  A private viewing of the exhibition will take place on the 5th September at 4.00 pm.