'Cruise'. This new body of work is a combination of images derived from American film and television and stills taken from McDermott's own super 8 films made in New York last year. In treating the original image with many developmental generations from film through digital photography to the interpretation from photograph to paint, McDermott leaves us with a filmic sense of heightened reality.
'CRUISE'
DAN McDERMOTT graduated from University of Northumbria in Newcastle in
1995 with a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Art Practice. He is now working
from a studio in London having been based in the Yorkshire Dales for the
last few years.
McDermott has achieved great notoriety for his brand of retro American
photo-realism since his debut show with Clapham Art Gallery in 2001. By
applying extraordinary painting skills to photographically sourced
images McDermott creates dynamic canvases with a unique and indulgent
style.
This new body of work is a combination of images derived from American
film and television and stills taken from McDermott's own super 8 films
made in New York last year. In treating the original image with many
developmental generations from film through digital photography to the
interpretation from photograph to paint, McDermott leaves us with a
filmic sense of heightened reality. Speeding cars set against urban
backdrops or aerial views of cities are degenerated and blurred as
colour and contrast levels are exaggerated and emphasised.
McDermott's canvases are rich in tone and colour, creating iconic
impressions of urban America from LA to New York and San Francisco.
Each image implies a story and a journey, some withholding a lurking
intent or eeriness. They are deeply atmospheric, representing in one
moment everything that we were presented from the U.S. in our distant
living room seats from the 1970's onwards.
Image: McDermott 'Auto' 123x171cm Oil on canvas 2003
Private View (Serving Mixed Cocktails): Tuesday 01/04/03 7.00pm -
9.00pm
Hours: tue-sat 12-8pm
Contact:
Zavier Ellis / Aniko Pall
clapham art gallery
61 venn street
london SW4 0BD
unit 02 40-48 bromell's road
london SW4 0BG
+44 (0)20 7720 0955