News

  • Good, True and Beautiful Drawings: Paul Cadden

    EF Magazine's latest article on Paul Cadden's work (translated)
    Good, True and Beautiful Drawings: Paul Cadden
  • by Maria Moreira
  • Hyperrealism Today

    Article on Hyperrealism written by Maggie Bollaert published on EF Magazine
  • Mike Francis' with his painting 'Spot the Dog II' at Plus One Gallery on the opening of his solo show in 2010
  • 'Azur Blue' acrylic and oil on canvas,  89 x 116 cm
  • by Patricia Osborne
  • Alexandra Klimas in Landleven Magazine

    Alexandra Klimas paints in tribute to the animal
    A Klimas magaize
    "I'm not an activist"
  • HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PLUS ONE GALLERY

    September 2001 - September 2021
    CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF HYPERREALISM
  • 'Wind Blown Blough' acrylic and resin on abraded aluminum, 61 x 107 cm
     
    Dive into David Kessler's work in this Artist in Focus written by Max Feldman!
  • 'A Bull on the Hill' oil on canvas, 50 x 80 cm
     
    Artists have been depicting animals for millennia. Yet animals have rarely played the lead role in works of art. Horses have played the role of servant in nearly every painting they have featured in, either dragging a plough or carrying their master.
    In Klimas’ paintings, the relationship between humans and animals is a constant yet indirect element. This relationship is often an interesting one.
  • John Salt was one of the pioneers of the Photorealist movement which took place in the late 1960s and the only non- American one at that. Although Salt did not dwell on either the irony of finding artistic freedom by copying a photograph or on the challenge this use of the photograph was (and still is), not only to art-world prejudices but also to our concept of what an artist is or ought to be. These issues were of course still on his mind and something that him and his peers thought about during the decision-making processes at the beginning of the movement.
    The camera was the perfect tool for these artists, with no agenda (visual or theoretical) it offered freedom from historic modes of realism. It allowed the artists to capture a three-dimensional reality onto a two-dimensional plane which in turn enabled the artists to create exquisitely factual and faithful renderings of the composition they sourced. These artists challenged our concept of both ‘an original’ and of originality.
    Photorealism was primarily about capturing the ‘American Dream’ and although Salt was working with the same process as the other Photorealists and capturing an American way of life, his subject and approach to the genre was quite different to that of his peers. Focusing on run-down areas and beat up vehicles Salt was bringing attention to the parts of the US the rest of the Photorealists overlooked.
  • Feel Like We’re Living in Surreal Times?

    Let These 5 Leading Hyperrealist Artists Ground You
    Since its founding in 2001, Plus One Gallery has been London’s go-to venue for Hyperrealist art, offering a wide variety of the style by leading artists.
    In our present moment, in which everyday life seems increasingly surreal, hyperrealist art can feel like a welcome visual grounding. But there’s more than one way to capture reality—so whether you’re seeking simulacra street scenes or contemporary still lifes, here are five artists whose work you should know, and can currently be seen either online or by appointment. 
  • An Interview with Maggie Bollaert

    For www.hyperrealism.net
    Hyperrealist artist and co-founder of www.hyperrealism.net, Jacques Bodin interviews Maggie Bollaert about Plus One Gallery and Hyperrealism.
  • Carl Laubin: Elegos

    World Trade Centre – Ground Zero
    Carl Laubin 'Elegos' 2002 oil on canvas,  182 x 152 cm
     
    For the first time in 15 years we have on the market 'Elegos' the historically important painting by gallery artist Carl Laubin. This painting depicts the aftermath of the sensless act of the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York City. 9/11.
  • We all know how interesting it can be to hear the stories behind the paintings we see hung on the wall of a gallery or in someone's home, so much context unbeknown to the viewer from a simple glance and although there can be great pleasure in the freedom of interpretation, the artist's story can often be far more interesting than you could ever have imagined. I have decided to begin a series 'The Story Behind the Painting' on our blog to allow our readers a little insight into some of the minds and works of the artists that create the painstakingly, hyperrealistic artworks we have available at Plus One Gallery.
    Gallery artist Denis Ryan is to begin this series for us today with his watercolour painting 'The King of Soho - Raymond's Revue Bar'.
  • Quick Review
    Born: 1973, Seoul, Korea
    Work: In his own words, Kim aims to create 'not only the best, but also, the most unique Hyperrealistic art in the world'. He's been represented by Plus One Gallery since 2016. His pieces are known for the extreme attention to detail, a lifelike quality beyond the detail seeable to the human eye.
  • The exhibition opened last Thursday, Andorran press flooded the space whilst gallery director Maggie Bollaert discussed the evolution of Hyperrealism over the past decade with Debora Ribas of the Museu del Tabac. Maggie then gave a tour of the exhibition which spans four levels of the old Tabacco factory, three rooms dedicated to the three main groups of painting style as well as sculptures on the mezzanine and three large paintings in the entrance hall.
    The exhibition has been a great success thus far and we continue to receieve positive feedback from the Museum. This must- see show will run until 30th September so if you have the opportunity to visit Andorra don't miss viewing the best in Hyperrealism today.
     
    More images to follow!
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  • “There are so many visions of reality as people interpret stimuli in so many ways, and this, in the case of painting, produces a multitude of different results, all equally valid. There is no one reality, only our interpretation of it.” - Javier Banegas
  • "Light in my work is meant to seem transitory like a story that takes a few moments to tell then fades into memory. Watching these tales of light flicker and come together to build something so beautiful and subtle is the reason I paint and seeing the life grow from it continues to feed my desire to understand and relate it.” - Tom Betts
  • YOUNG-SUNG KIM

    Young-sung Kim’s breath taking still life paintings have been featured on the Mail Online and they are impressing everyone as much as they did us, when he first walked into the gallery two years ago. 
  • Artist in Focus: Francois Chartier
     
    Quick Review
    BORN: 1950, Montreal, Canada.
    LIVES: Montreal, Canada.
    WORK: Chartier started out working for a sign company that introduced him to using airbrush in the early 70s. During this role, he became familiar with typography, photography, illustration and print. He then went on to become an art director and illustrator in magazine publishing and advertising, working for such well-established Canadian agencies as Vickers & Benson (now Arnold Worldwide Canada) and creating the visual concept for Cirque du Soleil’s “Quidam” and “O” in Las Vegas. After 30 years in the advertising world, in 2000, he started to paint full time.
  • With his solo show in full swing, we take a look at what influences his practice and why painting the places he has been is so important to him.

  • Buy Me Love
    Buy Me Love

    With Tom Martin's solo exhibition 'Perpetual Motion' in full swing, we want to take a moment to look at what influences his practice.

  • With his beautiful use of light and horizons again part of the wonderful mix here at Plus One Gallery, we take a look at the influences and training that make Steve Whitehead's paintings so captivating.

  • 'Frankfurter, 2015' acrylic on gessoed board with gold leaf, 51 x 51 cm
    'Water Cooler Cup, 2016' crylic on canvas with gold leaf, 25 x 25 cm
     
    Cynthia Poole was born in Zimbabwe, originally trained as an architect. She has a PhD in Architectural History and Theory from the University of Westminster (London) and worked for various architectural practices, including Richard Rogers, Nicholas Grimshaw and Norman Foster Associates as well as becoming a digital graphic artist for architectural visualisations before returning to painting.
  • Artist in Focus: Cynthina Poole

    'Place Setting 2' Acrylic on gessoed board with gold leaf, 91 x 91 cm

     

    Cynthia Poole was born in Zimbabwe, originally trained as an architect. She has a PhD in Architectural History and Theory from the University of Westminster (London) and worked for various architectural practices, including Richard Rogers, Nicholas Grimshaw and Norman Foster Associates as well as becoming a digital graphic artist for architectural visualisations before returning to painting.

  • 'Greenwich Village Cinema' acrylic on paper, 40 x 61 cm

     

    His career began in advertising and film animation. Successfully combining both, Denis Ryan worked on award-winning films as well as numerous TV and film commercials.

    Ryan has a strong emotional attachment to the city and the recurrent motifs in many of his paintings reflect this, particularly his recent series of neon signs.  He deliberately rejects obvious beauty to search out the essence of ordinary objects and scenes to create richly coloured luminous paintings devoid of human presence, full of possibility and radiant light.

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    'On Location' oil on linen, 105 x 160 cm

     

    David Finnigan an artist currently based in the U.K. His paintings are the result of his reaction to some of the ephemera and the momentary that we all experience. Finnigan wants all the work he creates; sketches, studies and paintings, to be poetic, maybe dissonant even, beautiful and occasionally challenging. He aims to remain brutally aware of the power that painting can have.

  • Simon Hennessey has been represented by Plus One Gallery since 2002. His paintings continue to develop down new and interesting paths, primarily focusing on the human figure (mainly eyes) and reflection.

  • A Sentimental Journey

    Carl Laubin's journey in the creation of his solo show

    CARL LAUBIN - ‘A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY’ SOLO EXHIBITION AT PLUS ONE GALLERY FROM 23RD NOVEMBER 2016 TO 10TH DECEMBER 2016

    NEW WORK FROM THE WORLD’S LEADING PAINTER OF CAPRICCI (ARCHITECTURAL FANTASY PAINTINGS)

    HE TRAVELS FROM 19TH TO EARLY 20TH CENTURIES, INSPIRED BY NEOCLASSICAL LEO VON KLENZE AND MODERNIST LE CORBUSIER

  • New Destination on the Grand Tour

    RIBA J article written by Hugh Pearman

    A Sentimental Journey, painter Carl Laubin’s latest show, sees him venture beyond his favoured traditionalist architecture into early modernism

  • During his solo exhibition 'A Sentimental Journey', we catch up with Carl Laubin to discuss the inspiration behind his complex and highly technical paintings and how he became an artist specialising in pristine architectual renderings of buildings.

    Laubin's current exhibition portrays his research and the passion he holds for the architecture, paintings and drawings of Leo von Klenze; Laubin's latest Capricci is on show at the gallery as part of 'A Sentimental Journey' until 16th Decemeber. Included in the exhibition are paintings  of a hypothetical project Léon Krier was working on based on Le Corbusier’s 1925 Pessac housing revisioned. The three main paintings are based on one of Léon’s sketches who has replanned the neighbourhood in Pessac.

     

     

  • Elena Molinari Interview

    Exhibition 'The Alchemy of the Everyday' runs until 19th November

    During here solo exhibition 'The Alchemy of the Everyday', we catch up with Molinari to discuss the inspiration behind her exquisite paintings.

     

    Born in Montevideo, Elena Molinari is best known for her still life paintings of fruit and vegetables, often placed in fruit bowls or alongside glass vases and silk cloths. Molinari works mostly with oil on canvas and is also renowned for her glossy, highly finished paintings of crumpled coca-cola cans. Since 1996, she has lived and worked in Spain, working as an Arts Professor at the University of Madrid. She has enjoyed success beyond Spain, both in her native Uruguay and in galleries across the world. 

  • For centuries, the American dream has attracted people from all over the world, lured by the promise of a better way of life. However, as history has progressed, faith in the American dream has diminished, tainted by the scepticism and doubt of modern society. Many artists have been inspired by the American dream. Some interpret optimism, hope and patriotism in their work, while others portray the dream as an unattainable illusion.

  • It’s not simply a case of remembering the past. Nostalgia is far more immersive and, in one sense, escapist. Because of this, even in the most avant-garde contemporary art, nostalgia is often an underlying theme. Let's explore how it relates to Hyperrealism.

  • Quick Review
    Born: 1964, Nebraska
    Studied: MA in Sculpture at Royal College of Art, London
    Work: Thomas Ostenberg's sculptures explore the theme of motion and balance, reflecting his personal search for emotional and spiritual equilibrium. For him, the work "touches on the moment of stepping into the unknown and doing so willingly."

  • Built around imagery of recognisable brands, celebrity cults and everyday life, consumerist art is rooted in the present social context, commenting on the dominant cultural values and the world we live in. But is this genre of art a playful celebration of consumerist culture or does it critique the way modern society’s values, are deeply rooted in commerce?

  • Plus One Gallery are pleased to announce our move to new premises in Trafalgar House, Battersea Reach.

  • Quick Review
    Born: 1964, Falmouth North Yorkshire
    Studied: BA in Fine Art at Falmouth School of Art
    Work: Finnigans work is rooted in the idea of traditional realist/representational painting. His approach is to try and find vignettes of the world in which we live and try to portray what he has seen in a photorealist style.He is fascinated by photography and his work reflects that, often searching images which may have a slightly reflective or melancholic feel

  • From ancient Roman depictions of lustrous fruit bowls to Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans, food has been a common theme in still life paintings for centuries. Many Hyperrealists have since developed this concept by painting modern foods and condiments in still life paintings.

  • Artists have been seduced by the beauty and grace of the flower for centuries. Now, Hyperrealists are refreshing the still life genre with contemporary methods of painting, invigorating the painting of flowers by challenging notions of tradition.

  • Quick Review

    Born: 1973, Zimbabwe, Africa

    Studied: Rhodes University, South Africa (BA Fine Art)

    Work: Wylie's work revolves principally around the search to extend the genres of still-life and figure painting.

    Publicatons: ‘21st Century Portraits’ by Andrew Graham Dixon.

    ‘Nature Morte: Contemporary Artists reinvigorate the Still Life

    Tradition’ by Michael Petry

  • We are pleased to announce that, after 12 years at our gallery in Pimlico Road, we are moving to larger and very modern premises alongside the River Thames, Trafalgar House Battersea Reach.

  • In a world where high-tech photography and instant photo messaging is available at our fingertips, what does Hyperrealism give us that photography cannot?

  • Natural foods such as fruit and vegetables often become the subject of Hyperrealist art. Berries, citrus fruits and other varieties are put under a microscope and blown up to create monumental, bold and indulgent paintings that celebrate life.

  • The Pop Art movement emerged in the mid-to-late-1950’s and was spearheaded by the likes of Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Jasper Johns. Photorealism emerged from Pop Art, with the continuation of finding inspiration in everyday objects, scenes of commercial life and modern-day consumerism. In this  blog post we examine how Hyperrealism is still influenced by Pop Art today.

  • Our temporary address will be:

    No. 24 Pimlico Rd, SW1W 8LJ

    Please note: due to the move the gallery will be closed Saturday 9th April.

  • Urban Hyperrealism takes both the modern metropolis and the mundane elements of city life as its subject. It challenges the artist to observe its diversity and understand the hidden meanings deeply rooted in city society. Here we look at how some of the biggest cities and most popular tourist destinations around the globe have been captured by some of our Hyperrealist artists.

  • Artist in Focus: Cynthia Poole

    Examining Consumerism with Nostalgia

    Quick Review
    Born: 
    Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    Work: 
    Striking and bold, many of Cynthia Poole’s paintings take food packaging, sweet wrappers and chocolate bars as their subject matter; often with a warm nostalgia for the 70s and 80s confectionery.

  • Hyperrealistic images achieve much praise, with the artist's incredible attention to detail and flawless techniques are frequently applauded. However, their extreme similarity to the images they mimic can beg the question – why not just take a photo?

  • In Hyperrealism, capturing the complete essence of a photograph can lead to surprising details in the final piece. But what about those artist who use digital technology such as Photoshop before turning their photographs into paintings?

  • Photorealism and Hyperrealism often have their meanings confused outside of art circles. While both movements have their own individual stylistic features, each appears under the umbrella of contemporary art. So, what are the features of each and why is their difference important?

  • Much like graffiti artists, hyperrealists are often influenced by their urban surroundings and look to evoke feelings of identity and sense of place within their work; though with very different results.

  • Hyperrealism has roots only as far back as the late 1960s to early 1970s, making it a relatively new art movement by most standards. However within the past 50  years, it has evolved into an astonishing and beautiful art style that captivates, intrigues and amazes many.