Alec Cumming

Alec draws ideas for his work Globally having spent several years working in India. He now spends time considering influences in different locations such as California and Sri Lanka.

His work, oil on canvas,  presents abstract and semi recognisable images that jump in and around the canvas that are vibrant, playful, pleasurable experiences. Within his work he continues to explore and idea of fleeting moments in the world and how they translate onto the canvas

Currently settled back to the UK, Alec finds himself considering the visual stimulus discovered in my years spent in India, and travelling since then, and how these staggeringly different locations play out on canvas with his current settled space in Norfolk.

Alec builds this bank of images through drawing and photos and writing in his sketch book. Questions such as how this imagery translates into a ‘pan global’ vocabulary become interesting. Creating and mixing different influence and the back and forth nature of the discussion that happens on the surface of the canvas; moments, that may or may not have existed.

Within his painting there are shapes and forms that lead to suggestions of 'things'. The ideas of semi-recognisable forms can suggest a narrative. He loves the way these narratives can play out different scenarios to the viewer depending on how those ‘things’ are deciphered.

The paintings may suggest spaces he knows, fabrics, places, an interesting space between buildings seen whilst walking in the street, a moment glimpsed whilst laying poolside, evenings spent on a veranda, or even a collection of observed objects, Overflowing roadside market stalls or a table laden with drinks and paraphernalia.

It is that funny thing the brain does when the eye invites you to linger for a moment, focusing on a single point of reference that consciously or sub consciously one is satisfied with or pleased by.

Many of these important elements are enhanced by a desire to explore the way light in these places enhances the compositions he allows himself to glimpse, bright harsh light that makes colours pop and resonate, a shimmering haze feeling. Alec wants his paintings to have the same resonation. This of kind painting allows him the pleasure of observing the world and translating it.