James Topple

My paintings draw inspiration from Asian Ink Wash painting where the aim is to capture the essence of the subject rather than accurate physical depiction. It is an instinctual, expressive way of painting that wrestles between forceful haphazard gestures and play of chance, to delicate controlled brushwork. I am very much concerned in the texture of my paintings. I like to think of them as being colourfully dirty.

It is also an introspective process. My aim is to become completely enamoured with the subject and lose myself within the act.

Most recently, I have been paying homage to some of my favourite dead artists. Using reference images and devising colour signature pallets, I attempt to capture the essence of the artist’s life, death, and body of work in the fruit or flowers, like an anthropomorphic depiction that celebrates the life and achievements of the artist.

My early work was very post-modern but I am more interested now in meta-modernism which is where I feel I am currently with my painting.

In 2022 I became an exhibiting member of the Reading Guild of Artists

BA Fine Art
PGCE Secondary

Various exhibitions from 2008-2016 in the UK and in South Korea including: The Exter Phoenix, The Broomhill Art Hotel, Rogue Project Space, The Cube Cinema, The Siuter Art Space, Yogiga, Nami Island.

Since 2022
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading Riverside Museum
Henley Old Fire Station