Manchester, UK, 1955
Deeply imbued with references to the history of western art, David Rhode’s pictorial language limits itself to several technical elements repeated by the artist in every painting he creates. Vertical lines of different widths made using masking tape that, when is removed after the painting is applied by brush, reveal the nuances of the canvas’ surface. Limitation to black and white responds to an intent to meditate on the process of painting without the distraction of contrasting colours and to an expression at once economical, urgent and emotional.
Just so, through repetition, can the eye abandon the quick glance awaken by the novelty, thus concentrating on the perception of details. Then one can start apprehending rhythmic, special, formal, emotional... differences between Rhodes paintings. Accurately, directness, repetition and honesty in David Rhodes’ technique are intended to intensify rather than reduce complexity.
He has paintings in several collections, including:
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, The Huntington Museum, Los Angeles, The Victoria & Albert Museum,
London, The Bohuslans Museum, Uddevalla and CCA Andratx, Mallorca.
