Paul Mowbray Artist Craftsman

The Hopper series explores a capacity for shifts in meaning when only the slightest of changes are made to iconic works of art. Edward Hopper’s art I greatly respect, so with a focused attention to detail and scale I approached this series. My initial concept was to adjust by increment the moment captured. I also felt it important to remain faithful to the painterly style of Hopper, as I believe this offers greater capacity for alternate definitions without the distraction of a new stylised format that could interfere with the viewers recollection of Hoppers originals.

‘A view of an Office at night’. 2009, oil on canvas 562 mm x 635 mm

In ‘office at night’ much has been speculated on the relationship between the male and female workers, I wanted to advance the clock by an hour, presenting the office devoid of its characters. A response to seeing this familiar work without its central dynamic may develop speculation in the viewer. For me they have gone their seperate ways, just as the weeks or years before have witnessed in Hoppers portrayal of this tiny alchemical environment. This painting was selected for a major exhibition in Orleans House in 2010.

A view of Car C compartment’, 2009, oil on canvas, 1118 mm x 740 mm

In ‘car c compartment’, the interior of the train contains a marginal of change merely the view out the window, the view is a composite from another of Hoppers coastal paintings, and also relates to one of my own paintings “Condiut III Re” which I believe was subliminally influenced by this work.

Below: Hoppers ‘Summertime’ often viewed as a celebratory meditation on time and existence presents the female character in a radiant posture. I have in my version adopted a scene from seconds prior, before she completely reaches the full sunlight. The use of a decapitating shadow gives further emphasis to the form of the torso. This dynamic obscuring of the face evokes ‘film noir’ methods, generating tension in a form juxtaposed by light and shadow.

‘A view of Summertime’ 2009, oil on canvas, 500 mm x 450 mm

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