I have been involved in making paintings of grass, the night sky and the sea for over five years now. The contradiction of a romantic image being produced through a simple methodical and systematic process has always been central to the work. The spectator of these works however is always baffled and intrigued by the way they are made. I have hence made many attempts to make the painting process as evident as possible in the finished work. In the most extreme example I actually painted on glass to make the process quite literally transparent, however an element of mystification always appears to remain. I will hence paint a number of works on site which will remain there for the duration of the project. I will make one work every day for a working week (Monday to Friday). The painting process would hence be carried out in full public view, like a slow performance.
Andy Harper studied painting at the University of Brighton, U.K. from 1990 to 1993 and received and M.A. from the Royal College of Art, London in 1995. He then went on to complete a second masters degree in Visual Culture at Middlesex University in 1999. He is the Co-founder and partner of Not Cut, an organization which manages a studio complex and darkroom facilities for artists in South London. He has exhibited widely in Europe and has recently returned from Germany where he had an exhibition at Haus Ennepetal and Hattingen Gallery.