Barley, 2018

Sam Peacock  

This artwork is a striking abstract composition that masterfully blends earthy browns with vivid turquoise tones. The upper section of the canvas is dominated by deep, textured browns and reds, creating a sense of dynamic movement reminiscent of swirling clouds or celestial phenomena. This contrasts sharply with the lower half, where vibrant turquoise and hints of green evoke fluidity and depth akin to an oceanic landscape. The interplay of color and texture is enhanced by subtle hints of gold, adding a luminous quality to the scene. The piece captures a captivating tension between the warmth of the earth and the cool expansiveness of the sea. The rich textures suggest an underlying narrative, inviting observers to explore the boundary between the terrestrial and the aquatic. This artwork is compelling in its ability to evoke natural elements while maintaining an abstract, dreamlike quality.

Sam Peackock: 'Being a landscape painter based in London led me to think that there was more to my practice than just producing work in a traditional method, there seemed to be opportunity to let the work morph more, each piece of material used having a link to where I work. I use Steel, plaster and concrete as its everywhere you look in most contemporary cities, The coffee and sugar I use is rooted in previous exhibitions in Italy.'

Sam's work uses oil paints on steel sheets that he mixes with a myriad of different materials and burns away layer by layer.

Off the beaten track and along a winding road. Broken walls and overgrown brambles, a glint of the city shimmers in the distance, the chalk lined path leading to a once famed place. That captured moment in time, the line which moves through the work, the colours which collide, the gold awakening blazing the glimmer of the sun.

Because of the reflective nature of the metal sheet, colourways vary depending on lighting.