Simon Garden's paintings could perhaps be described as the painterly equivalent of Magial Realism. Rich with historical, biblical and literary references, Garden's paintings present a re-imagining of life, a parallel world that flows just behind and through the more familiar one we know.
Most of Garden's paintings begin life on the floor, lying flat, so that the artist can move all the way around them. There is no 'up' or 'down', or 'top' and 'bottom' at this point. Very loose paint is applied from all sides with large 'dust pan' brushes. Many layers are built up until, gradually, from this primordial soup, the painting starts to emerge and to have its own clear voice.
Simon graduated from Exeter School of Art with a first in 1982. In 2002 he was elected as Academician by the Royal West Academy. Garden exhibits widely across the UK, with regular solo shows at Thompon's London, Beaux Arts, and Brian Sinfield Gallery. His work appears in numerous private collections across Europe.
