Alastair Gordon - Quodlibet

Alastair Gordon is a London-based artist whose first major monograph features over 160 paintings, drawings, and documentational photographs. The book introduces this accomplished and engaging new voice in British painting, focusing on everyday moments and elevating ordinary objects to speak to broader concerns of beauty, truth, life, and death. The documented works include paintings made in oil or acrylic on MDF, wood, 'found wood, gesso panel, paper, canvas, and occasionally linen, with recurring motifs such as masking tape, paper ephemera, and repeated studies of the same subject. The book also features recent works influenced by rural landscapes and parkland.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Anomie Publishing

Alastair Gordon, an artist born in 1978 in Edinburgh, currently resides in London. This comprehensive monograph, marking the first major exploration of his artistic journey, presents a vast collection of over 160 paintings, drawings, and documentational photographs, accompanied by insightful notes penned by Gordon himself. The book introduces this remarkable and captivating new voice in British painting, showcasing Gordon's exceptional talent and artistic vision.

Gordon's paintings intertwine the timeless languages of genre painting and quodlibet, engaging in a contemporary dialogue that challenges the boundaries of realism, figuration, and illusionism. His artwork focuses on capturing everyday moments, elevating seemingly ordinary objects such as feathers, matchsticks, and postcards to address broader themes of beauty, truth, life, and death. The documented works, created between 2012 and 2023, encompass a diverse range of mediums, including oil or acrylic on MDF, wood, 'found wood,' gesso panel, paper, canvas, and occasionally linen. Each piece is distinguished by its unique style and the recurring motifs Gordon selects, such as masking tape, paper ephemera, and subtle variations of the same subject. Through his paintings, Gordon weaves the histories and stories of these objects and individuals into his artwork, creating a profound connection between the physical world and the metaphysical realm.

The book also showcases recent works influenced by rural landscapes and parkland, further expanding the artist's artistic vocabulary. An introduction by Julia Lucero, Associate Director of Nahmad Projects in London, emphasizes the profound importance of nature and meditation in Gordon's practice. Lucero delves into the concept of the "axis mundi," a metaphysical and mystical point of connection where heaven and Earth converge. She explores the significance of quodlibet, a seventeenth-century trompe-loeil painting technique that Gordon has incorporated into his work, adding depth and complexity to his artistic exploration.

In conclusion, Alastair Gordon's first major monograph is a testament to his artistic prowess and his ability to capture the essence of everyday life. Through his innovative approach and profound exploration of themes, Gordon has established himself as a significant figure in British painting, offering a fresh perspective and a captivating artistic voice. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the art world, showcasing Gordon's talent and inspiring future generations of artists.

Dimension: 260 x 210 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910221488