mehdi-art.co.uk

Artistic Statement:

All my work is about strength, texture and energy which comes from a universal life force.

PAINTING:

I usually work directly onto canvas or paper with a brush, using thinned down oil paint or acrylic. I mark out the composition by filling the canvas with an outline of the subject, then apply a thin layer of colour to build an impression, adjusting the tones as I go along. I like to work quickly, capturing the ephemeral nature of light and the intangible energy in a subject. Although I always strive to achieve a sense of ‘immediacy’ in my paintings this is based on a set of trusted principles that include proportion, form and scale.

SCULPTURE:

I often sketch an idea beforehand or sculpt a maquette from adhesive tape, a process I developed which uses the same techniques as clay sculpting. This allows me to work quickly, which I like. The tape material has defined the style of my sculptures to some extent, adding a distinctive texture to the form. When I’m satisfied it then undergoes a transformational process using a time honoured method known as lost-wax, before finally casting in bronze. For large sculptures, such as public works of art, I also use traditional metal fabrication techniques. This shift away from casting also changes the finished sculpture’s appearance yet retains the characteristic energy, or life force, I strive to capture in all my work.

Steve Mehdi

 (For more information about how you can purchase a sculpture or painting, or commission a new work, please fill in your details on the contact page.)