Philip Gray at Artique Gallery

On Friday 20 April our Head of Art, Ms Conroy, a Year 10 student and a Year 12 student were very privileged to able to attend a private view at Artique Gallery Cambridge for renowned adventurer and contemporary artist Philip Gray.

Philip Gray is arguably best known for his dramatic oil-paintings of mountainous landscapes. His work has been described as ‘a powerful collection of extreme painting experiences’. Gray often creates his work in some of the most challenging environments on earth. Gray spoke to us personally at Artique Gallery about his recent work that involved painting inside caves in Mexico.

 ‘seeing those vast rays of sunlight illuminate the depths was one of the most emotional, almost mystical experiences of my life’.

Students at St Mary’s School, Cambridge following the GCSE and A Level curriculum in Fine Art investigate Landscape Art as a genre, as such they have studied and critically analysed the work of Gray. The students felt very fortunate to meet him. Lydia S (Year 10 GCSE) was lucky enough to be chosen by Gray to help him complete a painting demonstration whilst at the gallery, in which time he painted the canvas’s primary layer of paint blindfolded relying only on Lydia’s instructions and colour choice! Lydia spoke of his incredible ability to change a mashed array of colours into something ethereal and dynamic.

‘it was great to have the chance to meet him and paint with him- it’s given me more confidence to tackle my own work’.

Catherine Z a Lower Sixth Student studying Art A Level said ‘I have spent hours recreating and studying his techniques, its fantastic to see first-hand how he creates his work’.

Gray spoke with Ms Conroy, Head of Art and said, ‘please tell your students to paint with no fear, fear is what holds us back and can prevents us from achieving incredible things’.