October / November 2004
Crawfurd Adamson
Opening reception - Wednesday, October 27th 5 - 8 pm.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through
Saturday, 11-6 and by appointment.
Scotsman, Crawfurd Adamson returns for a solo
show at Broderick Gallery. The exhibit will mark the fifth time Broderick has
shown Adamson, who lives and paints full time in St. Leonards-on-Sea, East
Sussex, England. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he studied at the Duncan of
Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee.
Looking Back
oil on canvas
60" x 54"
Recognized for both his passion of drawing and his wonderful use of color,
Adamson’s current body of work may be described as observations of
contemporary life. Adamson’s paintings and drawings are primarily concerned
with human figures and interaction between people, though he has included
several new landscapes done in his unique style. His vivid colors and abstract
patterns allow the viewer’s gaze to flow over the canvas, taking in the
emotional strength of the content, color and composition.
"The human figure has always fascinated me. The subtle change of pose,
balance or significant gesture can give a potent impression of their physical
presence and mood as well as their relationship with themselves or to their
surroundings,” said Adamson. “Although my observations of life serve as a
catalyst for the work that ensues, it is the search for ways of using colour to
create form, that drives me forward to paint. That, and a great love of
drawing.”
Standing Woman II
oil on canvas
30" x 20"
Adamson is represented by galleries in the U.K., Hong Kong and the Broderick
Gallery in Portland, Oregon. In addition to 18 solo exhibitions in London,
Edinburgh, Hong Kong and the U.S., his work has been exhibited in Madrid, Paris,
Monte-Carlo, and Japan. Adamson’s work is included in many collections around
the world, both corporate and private, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art,
New York.
Adamson has been featured in numerous
publications including Art Review, ArtLine, The Week, The
Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, The Scotsman, South
China Morning Post and DeBrett`s "People of
Today."
Confrontations and Conversations
oil on canvas
72" x 84"
“Underlining Adamson’s work is a passion for drawing the human figure in
particular. He has studied the body in a wide variety of poses, and from all
different aspects. He works in charcoal, and shows a mastery of pastel which he
uses in a highly painterly fashion. In his paintings he brushes in the outline
of the figure before building up the flesh with pigment. And, throughout much of
what he does, there is a tendency to exaggerate features (hands for example) for
the sake of gesture. A Mannerist and theatrical treatment of limbs helps in
creating a narrative, and is essential to his handling of body language."
Geoffrey Bertram, ArtFirst Gallery, London
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