Alison Mulroy’s Artist Statement
Art has always played a very central role in my life. From an early age, I was quite convinced that what I wanted to be was a painter- especially of portraits. It sounds such a cliche to say ‘its my dream’, but to be honest it really is. I love what I do, it does often come at a price financially, and sometimes emotionally – but I wouldn’t swap it for anything.
My two main sources of inspiration are painters Chuck Close and Caravaggio. I love Close’s work, early and late. The technical skill and the emotional impact of his paintings have always captured me. I am equally inspired by the progression of his work; the way in which he had to move away from his early, tight realism due to extreme ill health and find a new way of expression is so brave and commendable.
The depth of Caravaggio’s work, the richness – draws me in. The way he uses light is something I have studied quite intensely. He almost paints with light – using it as a tool for expression. I have found light to be a theme that I find myself revisiting in nearly all my work, there is so much that can be said with it.
Above all else my hope for my work is that it is a celebration of its subject matter. My artist aim is to draw out the essence of what I am studying, to emphasise the often hidden qualities – that are like buried treasures – and to display these finds in a creative, fitting way.
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