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We’ve long admired the work of , the South African artist who tricks us with his incredible oil paintings that look like “bokeh” effect photographs. You know, when the lens is out-of-focus to deliberately create appealing blurred lights.
His latest series, which is due to go on show at in Montréal this summer, continues to look at some of our favourite street scenes from cities around the world, New York City being a running theme.
As the gallery puts it: “Philip reminds us that even in a broken world, where people often have lost hope, corruption is rife and cynicism dwells we still have hope and beauty do exist. His primary intention is to lift the eyes and to elevate a moment that is seemingly ordinary. He endlessly discovers and explores the beauty and the sublime in the mundane.
“He uses his camera to capture that elusive moment when the magic happens and shape, form and colour relations dance like jewels. He plays with abstraction but continues to explore realism and keep us close to the recognisable, his intention is never to alienate but to rather invite the viewer into the image.”
Philip himself describes his work as a step towards abstraction. He is interested in “capturing the moment”, a millisecond in time when everything lines up perfectly. You can discover more at .
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7th at 12.30, 47in x 86in, oil on canvas. Credit:
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Artery – 47in x 70in, oil on canvas. Credit:
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Plumb – 47in x 47in, oil on canvas. Credit:
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Dusk on 42nd – 78in x 118in, oil on Belgium linen. Credit:
