Paragon, 2019

Brian Neish  

Brian Neish is fascinated by painted surfaces, particularly surfaces having to endure the extremes of sunlight, wind, frost and rain. He calls the appearance of these debilitating effects ‘Noble Decay’ to suggest a sense of them displaying increasingly unique visual qualities over extended periods of time. He never scrapes paint off, it’s all about the considered application of paint, one layer at a time Each series of treatments, conducted over many months, reveals surprising and unexpected moments.

In the White Series, the focus is on the overlaying of white paint. This connects and links other colours into a more holistic framework. The luminous white paint harmonises any colour contradictions. Every colour has its place yet the use of white illuminates the presence of each. The White Series seems to be a conversation between time and space.

Brian’s love of decay and the transience of buildings, especially the painterly surfaces of doors and walls, is clearly apparent. His layering of paint creates its own organic life, where past surfaces are seen though present surfaces. There is space and an open quality where the viewer can develop a relationship with the paintings.