Nathan Paddison - New Paintings on Canvas - Ausstellung Nuernberg

Ausstellung Galerie FRANK FLUEGEL GALERIE

Sydney/Nuremberg 2024.

FRANK FLUEGEL GALERIE received new paintings by australian artist Nathan Paddison. Self-taught Australian artist Nathan Paddison creates raw, emotive paintings in the tradition of art brut, graffiti and abstract expressionism. Drawing inspiration from what he describes as his difficult past, Paddison paints with urgency and physicality, placing dynamic, gestural brushstrokes and ecstatic shapes on his worn and roughly textured surfaces. Scattered scraps of text intermingle with hints of human bodies and natural forms, suggesting interrupted histories, disjointed places, or perhaps a recently abandoned crime scene. Embedded in this drama is a keen sense of humor and a vivid sense of the emotional power of color. Paddison mixes traditional fine art media such as acrylics and pastels with everyday materials such as newsprint and markers to achieve a fresh, energetic and undeniably contemporary visual language.

Nathan Paddison hails from the bustling heart of Sydney, Australia’s western suburb, an area known for its intricate web of gangs. For most of his life, Paddison was deeply entrenched in this turbulent underworld, a journey that led him behind bars. However, in the cold, austere confines of prison, Paddison found an unexpected refuge – the art of painting.

Paddison dedicated two years to honing his artistic skills during his incarceration, a time that not only saw him grapple with the canvas, but also marked the beginning of his transformative journey. After his release, his painting style underwent a profound metamorphosis. The cumulative experience of his twelve-year prison sentence, interwoven with the raw impressions of his gang past, gave his works a unique, compelling voice.

The vicissitudes of Paddison’s unconventional lifestyle fostered a newfound appreciation for the simpler, finer aspects of life, which are vividly reflected in his work. The artist’s brush now moves across the canvas with an untamed freedom that reflects the exhilarating liberation he enjoys after years of confinement. Through his work, Paddison seeks to engage his audience, as his paintings are a poignant testament to his personal journey of redemption and rebirth.

Nathan Paddison was magnetically drawn to the vibrant spectrum of color on his palette and found his true calling amidst streaks of oil and acrylic. The transformation was profound, as if a dormant personality within him had been revived by the artistry of his brushstrokes. When he embarked on this creative journey, Paddison did not simply choose a vocation – he surrendered to an irresistible, innate attraction. The canvas and colors were more than just his medium; they were his means of communication, his way of life and the lens through which he perceived the world.

Paddison’s artistic approach is best characterized as a form of self-expression, even if he himself struggles to articulate its nuances. His technique is not limited to a single style. Rather, he enjoys exploring a variety of stylistic territories, guided by the intimate dialog he maintains with his canvas. This metaphysical connection dictates the necessities of the canvas, from the specific dimensions and orientation to the heartbeat of the image to come. For Nathan Paddison, the blank canvas is not a void to be filled, but a companion that whispers to him the secrets of its final form.

In his studio, Nathan Paddison lives in the midst of what many might perceive as chaos, but which he uniquely transforms into a source of balance. Amidst his tools of the trade, one can discover an unusual array of objects: a fridge of chocolates, a skateboard and even a set of weights. These are not just novelties or random personal items. For Paddison, they are deliberate distractions that he intentionally scatters around his workspace to balance his incessant urge to paint. Paddison admits that his passion for painting could probably produce a million works of art if he could paint them unhindered.

Paddison draws inspiration for his creative work from several luminaries in the art world. Four names stand out in his pantheon of artistic influences: Willem de Kooning, Cy Twombly, Jean Michel Basquiat and Joan Mitchell. Each of these iconic artists, with their distinctive style and creative narratives, has significantly shaped the way Paddison approaches his craft.

In Paddison’s extensive body of work, one piece holds a very special place in his heart and in his home. Titled “Are Far There’s Love”, this abstract work describes a pivotal moment in the artist’s life: the day he found out he was going to be the father of a daughter. Infused with deep personal emotion, the painting serves as a tangible representation of Paddison’s journey, not only as an artist but also as a father, bridging the gap between his personal and professional spheres.

Nathan Paddison primarily uses acrylic paints, as they dry quickly and allow him to paint very productively. Although he can work on up to ten canvases at the same time, he usually concentrates on three or four works at a time. The artist does not use oil paint as he does not have the space for it to dry properly. Paddison would like to venture into oil painting in the future as soon as he has a sufficiently large studio. In his artistic practice, Paddison ventures beyond acrylic paint and uses a variety of mediums, including oil, pencils, acrylic, spray paint, charcoal, pencil, collage, wax crayon and marker. A steadfast advocate of artistic exploration, he eagerly embraces new mediums and is always trying to push the boundaries of his creative expression.

Nathan Paddison has two clear visions for future exhibitions that reflect his aspirations. Firstly, he envisions a collaborative exhibition with his daughter to take place once she has gained the ability to draw and paint properly at the age of four or five. This planned series would represent a heartfelt fusion of their artistic abilities. Secondly, Paddison longs to curate an exhibition reminiscent of the magical world of Alice in Wonderland. This captivating exhibition will feature a surreal environment adorned with synthetic grass, oversized mushrooms and a plethora of strange objects. With these ambitious projects, Paddison aims to create immersive experiences that captivate the viewer and transport them into a realm of fantasy and wonder.

An artwork by Jordy Kerwick sold for £85,000 at Phillips in London on March 4, 2022, after an estimate of £6,000. Both artists are from Australia and are self-taught. The Recent auction record for Nathan Paddison is US$ 12,800 for the painting “Ease Ear Thai Gore” achieved at Ravenel Auction House in Taipei, Taiwan in december 2021. It was surpassed in Spring 2022 also at Ravenel Auctions with USD 16,338 for one of the Tiger Paintings.

Nathan Paddison, born 1983, is an artist whose works are all based on a sense of fun, self-expression and being himself without fear. He portrays subjects from his past, including his struggle with addiction, as well as pets and animals in his life. Paddison emphasizes color and energy, allowing the canvas to determine where the painting goes. He paints primarily with acrylics, but also uses enamels, pastels, markers, inks, oils, oil pencils.

Nathan’s strong line and approach to palette meld closely with the physicality and urgency in which he works. The impatience and powerful language forming in Nathan’s work is akin to compulsion rather than task. FRANK FLUEGEL GALLERY has his works since 2021 for sale.

Exhibitions:

Art from the inside, 2019, group show
Flourish 2019 group exhibition
Naked&Nude 2019, manning valley regional gallery, finalists exhibition
Sunset gallery solo exhibition, august 2019
Humble House Gallery Canberra, Solo exhibition. November/December 2020
Gosford regional gallery (group/finalists exhibition)
Studio Gallery group exhibition Sydney 2020
Kangaroo Valley exhibition 2020, finalists exhibition
Studio Gallery Melbourne 2020
Studio Gallery group exhibition Melbourne 2021
Incognito Art Show 2021
Studio Gallery Sydney 2021
Studio Gallery Cheltenham 2021
Solo exhibition 2021 space cowboy gallery – 2021
Naked&nude 2021 Manning Regional
Studio Gallery Sydney 2021
The Kilgour Prize 2021 Art Gallery of Newcastle
The Lester Prize Art Gallery of Western Australia 2021 (October now)
Fresh paint art fair, Tell Aviv 2021 (now)
Save the animals. National museum Taiwan, (October 25th – nov 1,2021
Gloucester regional Gallery, solo 2022,January.
Morton contemporary,Philadelphia USA, solo 2022. May
Nathan Paddison: X Paddison ,Atelier Aki ,Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
2024 To be announced.


Competitions

Art from the inside 2019, winner
Flourish Art exhibition 2019, highly commended
Naked&Nude 2019, finalist
Bricklane Gallery Open Call (London) – finalist 2020
Gosford Art Prize – 2020
Kangaroo Valley art prize – 2020
Circle arts open call Paris, France – honourable mention 2020
ArtAscent animal art 2020 -finalist
FusionArt New York 2021 – finalist
Naked&nude 2021 – finalist
The Kilgour Prize 2021 – finalist
The Lester Prize – 2021 – current finalist
The Kilgour Prize – 2021 – people’s choice winner
Featured in:

ArtEdit magazine autumn catalogue
The block (tv show) room reveals
Artlovers 2020 book
ArtWalk Port Macquarie 2020
ArtAscent volume 46 December 2020
Artlovers Home Design Magazine 1st edition 2020
ArtEdit March 2021
Grand Designs Australia March 2021
Spotlight lookbook, Paris March 2021
Newcastle Herald (newspaper) , October 16, people’s choice article.