Project Ability : Artists : Simon McAuley

Simon McAuley

Simon McAuley attends Project Ability's ReConnect programme.

"My current practice is focused on oil painting and has been for some months. This has been an extended period of painting, which surpasses in time and scope, my previous efforts using this medium. Not only am I investigating and exploring these traditional materials, I am encountering histories, references and theory, which have pertinence to my paintings. In my work, I pursue a personal investigation at a reductive level; following strands of enquiry into materials and theoretical approach. An overall view of my practice demonstrates landscape and the period of late modernity as interests and considerations. A lot of my work has an allusion to landscape, and in that sense exhibits traditional traits. However, I commence a project with a radically reductive approach; which corresponds with my interest in the phase of late modernity."

Simon McAuley, January 2013

"I make semi-abstract monochrome drawings made of small drawn organic marks and lines. They often have a partial landscape motif. Each drawing is built up and evolves over time; while remembering the influence of the first generative marks. (The marks are inflected by the previous.)

My drawings are evocative with a slightly strange quality. My aim is to make drawings that have complex patterns and texture which will change direction and develop visual opportunities and challenges to be addressed and resolved. I like to include my own idiosyncrasies throughout the work and prefer making art which can involve the viewer as well; threading my own quirks while progressively making space for the viewers. Recent works retain similar mark making characteristics, the development of the lines follow previous stages and marks. Although, the drawings are not as time consuming in their production. This is a consequence of fewer marks selectively made and a smaller scale - so that much of the paper is unmarked. In some small drawings I have used only a few long lines or minimal configurations in larger drawings. I intend these drawings to be dynamic using less complexity."

Simon McAuley, March 2011