A solo exhibition of work by Joseph Paxton takes place at the Muse at 269 Gallery in London from July 26 to August 6, 2006. Joseph Paxton grew up in Wales surrounded by farmland, where from an early age he developed a close relationship and interest with the animal world. His work takes the living energy of the animal and expresses it through a representation which becomes a living entity in itself. Though figurative, the work is not always intended to be completely anatomically accurate; muscles and limbs are often depicted in such a way as to exaggerate a characteristic of the animal.
He has increasingly tried to create a more confrontational interaction between the viewer and the work by producing his pieces on a large scale. Life size sculptures of hounds instantly take on a much more real and threatening dimension.
Another way of expressing the physical behaviour of the animal is through the use of materials. Whether using straw and plaster with quick application in his sculpture, or when creating a mixed media work using charcoal, ink or paint, he uses a wide variety of spontaneous and bold marks. Transferring his energy into the work in this way gives it vitality and flow of movement.
The artist wishes the viewer to feel that they are sharing the space with the animal and perhaps empathising with its actions. To create a work that bridges the gap between being in the presence of a living force and a two or three dimensional image is his main aim.
This is Joseph Paxton's first solo exhibition since graduating with a BA Hon's in Fine Art from Newcastle University last year.
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