Here at That's not My Age Mansions we have a couple of linocuts by London-based printmaker and illustrator Paul Catherall. If his work looks familiar, that's probably because you'll have seen the 45-year-old's images of iconic landmarks on classic travel posters for London Transport and Tate Modern. There's a lovely exhibition of Catherall's latest prints over at Oxo Tower Wharf. His new stuff is more abstract - so I asked him if this was a sign of the ageing process, if like me he's getting a bit messier as he gets older? ' Oh no, a lot of blood, sweat and tears goes into my work. I am actually getting more precious as I get older. I love what I do and hope to keep on going, and anyway, I can't actually do anything else!'
Growing up in Coventry gave Catherall an appreciation of Brutalist architecture, 'Some people think it's ugly but I quite like that - it reminds me of home. The Southbank Centre is a lot like Coventry shopping centre.'
Has the busy father-of-two ever considered going back to his roots, surely a collection of iconic pictures of the Midlands and north of England would go down quite well? 'I'd love to do that and it will happen, but to be brutally honest I'd need someone to sponsor me so that I could live and produce the works.' Let's hope that happens soon, a print of Blackpool Tower or Preston Bus Station would look fantastic next to our Battersea Power Station:
I wondered, if like David Hockney, he's ever considered iPad art? ' I'm a bit of a Luddite with technology, it's outrageous really but my wife has to do my Twitter feed. If something works then I'm happy. I'm happy doing linocuts, I like the process, I like working out all the right colours. I want to continue progressing.'
The Paul Catherall exhibition is on at the Gallery@Oxo until 19 May.
Hmmm, not really 100% my thing, though I can really appreciate it as art. I guess I've never been a big fan of brutalism... The colours are great, bright but muted at the same time if that makes sense. xo
ReplyDeleteThe man sounds like a nice guy when interviewed. Sure wish he´d get a sponsor to be able to return to his roots.
ReplyDeleteWell wow, I love his work.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are cool! I can see the connection to brutalism and also to earlier prints. His use of color is really good.
ReplyDeleteThey're great.. I particularly like the Battersea Power Station image. S x
ReplyDeleteExcellent work, I'll make a point of seeing it when I'm in London in a few weeks time.
ReplyDeleteMette - he is very nice. We went to the private view - which was very busy so he gave me his phone number and we chatted on the phone the next day.
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ReplyDeleteOh my god, I love these! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWent to see the exhibition today, really liked his work - thanks for the heads up !
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