MARCUS  HAMMOND

As my working method develops, I find the subject matter I deal with has become more concerned about my physical response rather than actual representation of place as in my earlier work. Although there is a thought of place when carrying out the work, it is essentially, purposefully, putting paint down rapidly which gives me that initial physical connection with my subject matter. 

 

I have no pre-planned strategy when it comes to painting a new piece, rather, it is down to an instinctive reaction and attempt to make sense of what is on the canvas in front of me at any one time that drives the work forward.  

 

This 'process' results in multi-layered compositions comprising of thick paint in places juxtaposed with the removal of certain layers in others to reveal previously made gestures underneath.  In addition to this, scratched lines and pencil marks are worked through the paint creating further textures on the surface.

 

It is this physical act of moving the paint which guides progress and my subsequent decisions in selecting what I will keep or disregard.

 

Many factors, external and internal, influence the final product but in essence, it is my emotional response to place which finds itself represented in my work.

 

Colour has a significant relevance to me.  I aim to strike an aesthetic equivalence through the painting and this could quite easily result in the primary layers being lost as I progress the work and often only mere fragments of colour put down initially will remain.

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Heavy and light brush strokes, layers, scratches and pencil marks are reconciled and a relationship between all these elements within the painting is achieved.  The process in achieving this relationship and balance I seek is often a fractious one and I can only contemplate finishing a piece when the work starts 'talking back'.

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Marcus Hammond - 2018

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