Adam Chapman

“At Sixes and Sevens” oil and silver leaf on canvas 20″ x 16″ 2016

At Sixes and Sevens: in a state of total confusion or disarray.

“Powderkeg”, oil and spray paint on canvas, 32″x48″, 2016

“A volatile or dangerous situation.”

oil, silver on canvas 24″x36″ 2016

Maan! The Artist Project this weekend was so amazing! I can’t think of anything better than getting to spend time with so many inspiring people, offering such great feedback on my work. Thank you to everyone who came by! And its funny, my most understated painting at the show had so much to say to me all weekend.

My newest work, Ghost, feels like one of the most autobiographical paintings I’ve made in a long time. A ghost is an eternally trapped entity, left to haunt as a faint trace of the person who once was. Having found myself in an extended period of painter’s block, I can’t help but relate to the ghost of this piece.

The thing about this painting is that the perspective point is the figure. The focus is very much on this “ghost”, having the world simultaneously rushing at him and pulling in this singular direction. With the perspective so askew and colours inverted, all aspects of this piece are off, and are screaming for a form of balance. But underneath, there is a silver lining: a layer of precious silver leaf, gilded and burnished to the canvas. Adding a glimmer of hope behind the blood red clouds.

Thank you all again for your support at The Artist Project, it was an incredible success and I definitely got hit by a lightning bolt this weekend. I have a couple more shows coming up in the next little bit, so I’m super stoked to get to work!