Pleasure-go-round: Simon Gaiger and Bernard Irwin | Floor 2
Openly decorative and anxiety free: In these paintings and coloured sculptures we are reminded of the guiltless museum art of 60’s America and the post Matissean paintings of Morris Louis and Kenneth Noland whose shapes were a prop for colour. Nolan said in 1969 “I want to have colour be the origin of painting” - like Noland, Irwin and Gaigers works tease us with gorgeous colour - formal hedonism.
It is worth noting that Simon and Bernard are the same generation and both men were born under a colourful sun - Malaya, Africa and the Pacific - time and place must have seeped deep into their psyche. Simon now lives in West Wales and Bernard in Cornwall yet still their childhood skin impacts their art.
The two men compliment each other but Simon’s sculptures, although abstract have a physical presence and are imbued with the narrative of the maker - here colour unifies form. Irwin’s paintings, on the other hand are impersonal, bubblegum loops or pods act as containers for his astute colour sense and knowledge of simultaneous contrast.
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Bernard IrwinShe imagined she could hear the starsAcrylic on canvas234 x 168 cm
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Bernard IrwinI call your nameAcrylic on canvas150 x 120 cm
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Bernard IrwinAh me, if this be loveAcrylic on canvas168 x 201 cm
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Bernard IrwinNocturneAcrylic on canvas170 x 120 cm
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Bernard IrwinYellow birdAcrylic on canvas64 x 80 cm
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Bernard Irwin, Wind up bird
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Bernard IrwinMoving slowly between, touching nothingAcrylic on canvas36 x 45 cm
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Bernard IrwinTouchAcrylic on canvas40 x 30 cm
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Bernard IrwinAnd then, in the airAcrylic on canvas36 x 28 cm
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Bernard IrwinThe nearness of youAcrylic on canvas36 x 28 cm
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Simon GaigerSisyphus, 2021Welded and painted steel interchangeable elements, rolling brick100 x 66 x 50 cm
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Simon Gaiger, Drift Seed, 2021
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Simon GaigerPleacher Bowl, 2018Branded Sycamore90 x 80 x 27 cm
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Simon Gaiger, TIDE CLOCK
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Simon Gaiger, OCCAM’S RAZOR, 2021
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Simon GaigerJhelum, 2021Charred Oak with metal180 x 34 x 52 cm
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Simon GaigerDugong Seat, 2021Charred Oak with metal160 x 34 x 52 cmSold