Monday 30 December 2013

Serge Poliakoff



About five years ago in another lifetime we were wandering the streets of Paris when a painting in a private gallery caught my eye - we ventured in and stood before a large abstract painting which set in motion my desire to paint. This was Serge Poliakoff unknown to us at that point. The gallery owner had two more pieces in the store room of the gallery and was delighted to show them two us - and he phoned a friend of his at another gallery and arranged for us to go and view two more pieces the next day............I think he recognized the look in our eyes - he knew we did not have the money to buy any of them – the one that caught our eye was a mere £650K but he could tell that we were captured by the work and that seemed to delight him......



Born in Moscow in 1900 (although some sources claim 1906), Serge Poliakoff is a highly important member of the “Ecole de Paris” (School of Paris). In 1917 he left his native country, fleeing from the Russian Revolution. At first he reached Constantinople, where he made his living by playing music in cafés. At the same time, he studied painting. From 1929 on, he matriculated at the Forchot and Grande Chaumière academies. After that, he spent two years in London, at the Slade School of Art. In 1962, he had a solo presentation at the Venice Biennale. Poliakoff died in Paris in 1969.


Poliakoff’s “typical” work consists of irregular, puzzle-like interlocking shapes. The image is supported by the effect of his colour’s pure materiality and their interplay between luminosity, transparency and opaqueness. His Russian background – he was very much impressed by iconographic painting –as well as his intense preoccupation with music and especially rhythm, provided an important influence on his art. Poliakoff\'s success is mostly based on the harmony of his compositions, both in form, in colour and their accord. These compositions of colour values find their equivalent in musical tonality and are filled with an almost sacred harmony.

There isn’t a true period pattern in Poliakoff’s use of hues. At all times we find darkish or lighter earthy tones parallel to strong and luminous colours. Having been taught the emotional value of colours by Robert Delaunay, this is not very surprising. His colour schemes vary with his moods.

For more information regarding the artist






Friday 27 December 2013

Geometric Red

Welcome to a small piece Geometric Red
I would like to wish all my customers a great New Year and thank you all for the positive support you have shown me over 2013 and I look forward to communicating with you in 2014



Friday 13 December 2013

Geometric Abstraction No 2




This is Geometric Abstraction No 2
Various paints on textured wood board with collage/relief detail
Set in a real wood box frame behind glass
29" x 21" x 2"

For details and price please click here


Wednesday 11 December 2013

GeoMarine I - work in progress







Welcome to Geomarine I - created on a piece of marine plywood salvaged from a beach hut renovation at Studland Bay - this will not be framed and will simply hang as is as a panel

Click here for more details

Friday 6 December 2013

New piece in progress







I thought I would show the slow but sure construction of a new piece 'Relief No 2' as it comes to completion - if you would like to see the finished and framed piece simply email me at richard@withamart.co.uk and I will send you the images

This starts with a wood board undercoated with paint and grout powder and hardboard cut details for the relief elements - various paints are then used followed by dry brushing and sanding to texture the surfaces

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Personal Collection - Paul Feiler




I am offering for sale one of my works from my personal 'keep' collection and it is in contrast to the more 'hard edge' work I have been producing recently.

This was inspired by the work of Paul Feiler,for more details regarding the artist and his work please click


For more details regarding my piece please click here