Two visiting artists discuss their work in a dual exhibition
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Lauren Scott discusses her compositions.
Tom Walton talks about his portraits.
Paintings by Walton and Scott side by side
Students attended an artist talk and gallery opening by two young figurative painters on Friday evening. The surreal, boldly colored and loosely painted dreamscapes of Lauren Scott hung opposite to the more muted and realistic portraits of Tom Walton. Warner Gallery director and photography teacher Jen O’Neill explained that she had been struck by both the similarities and the contrasts between the two painters, and had been inspired to do a dual show so that each body of work would enhance and highlight aspects of the other.
The artists were equally intrigued by the juxtaposition, and commented on one another’s work. Viewers noticed that both painters experimented with bending space in their work, although Scott's distortions were more pronounced, and that both used uncommonly vibrant colors, though to different effect. Scott's crowded, hectic compositions were further activated by the stillness and silence of Walton’s portraits, which were rendered more statuesque and peaceful in turn.
The painters also discussed their different processes. Scott explained that she draws her imagery from mixed sources: from posed models to photographs, and arranges them into compositions according to her particular vision. “When I pick my imagery I want to induct the viewer into the scene. What I like about these paintings is that the scenes are so complicated that the viewer doesn’t know where to look first. I like that they raise questions about what’s going on in the space that you can’t necessarily answer” Walton has a much more personal mode of working, only painting people with whom he is intimate. He cited Lucien Freud, another artist who paints intimate acquaintances, as a major influence.
Both artists had advice for the students. “If you’re going to choose art you’ve got to do it because you love it,” said Walton. “If I was only interested in money, I would have chosen something else. I want to do what I love, but what I love is not always saleable.” Scott stressed the importance of being free to experiment and explore. “As an artist, it’s important to know that it’s OK to make work that is not great. You make it, you learn from it and you make something better because of it.”
