Tree of Knowledge No1 Painting

Graham says he deeply enjoys immersing himself in the act of painting with all its potential and uncertainty. His work lives in the spectrum between abstract and figurative, and to what part of that spectrum he explains in terms of how he responds to the subject-he doesn't like being contained in a definite style or technique. Graham McBride, while living in London, considers himself an Australian painter. He grew up in the diverse landscapes of rural northern Australia and came to painting in a complex way. Initially, he trained as a metal tradesman working in sugar milling factories on the coast. From there he studied science followed by postgraduate studies in engineering and environments. Eventually his deep-seated interest in art and environmental issues guided his career path. Art became his medium to explore feelings around philosophical conflicts and environmental concerns. Events or moments would probably say much about what his paintings are about. He is attracted to occurrences or things that evoke or create change, whether they be by nature or human instigation. Such moments heighten consciousness and awareness, enabling him to see and understand things in different lights or emphasis. His work reflects a deep connection to nature, often exploring the sense of place and tensions between natural systems and the modern world-the interface between nature and culture. Seeking and exploring this concept of balance, in many forms it takes, permeates much of his work-especially abstract. Trees are often a motif. He is engaged by their expressiveness combining fluidity and solidity and how they symbolise place and space that engages him. Graham's paintings are often distinguished by their vivid colours, dynamic executions and the interplay of conflicting gestures. He now lives in London working from a studio overlooking the Regents Canal, which he says gives him a sense of space he yearns for.