Articles by Guy Beggs

In my earlier figurative work a particular place was often used as a setting for an explicit narrative. Although increasingly abstract in nature, recent work continued to deal with a sense of place, real or imagined, but without any overt narrative. Particular places continued to suggest figurative narratives but these were not pursued as they would have been at odds with current work. This unexpected return to figuration was instigated by recent psychologically disturbing life events, and drew upon a long stored image. In order to create the vertiginous reality of standing close to this notoriously dangerous spot it was necessary to combine more than one viewpoint. This wider perspective attempts to create a sense of the experience of being there and the inclusion of a figure to provide an ambiguous narrative.

On The Edge:Beachy Head Oil on board 170x74cms

Having spent some time looking down at the ground for inspiration, this March I felt an overwhelming urge to change my viewpoint. Some years ago I did a series of large charcoal drawings of Beachy Head as studies for paintings that didn’t materialise. Thinking about how I might deal with a surface on a grander scale I decided to re-visit Beachy Head to see if it might provide a suitable motif. The location, a site of awesome beauty with psychological resonance, provoked a number of ideas so I returned to the studio and started this initial painting.

Beachy Head:Sentinel Oil on board 170x74cms

This work in progress is an attempt to deal in paint with thoughts about regeneration through the decay of the previous year: staining and marking the canvas in a much looser way than earlier more careful imitative palimpsests. Daily observations provide a time-full continuum with one layer surviving in memory long after physical decay. Nature’s layering and staining is redolent of the painting process but each painting has to succeed on its own terms and some do and some don’t. More work is needed on this one before that decision can be made.

Spring Veil 91.5x122cms Oil on canvas

The Same Leaves 61×91.5cms Oil on canvas

The same leaves over and over again!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               They fall from giving shade above                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 To make one texture of faded brown                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             And fit the earth like a leather glove.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Robert Frost