WILSON's CREATIVE SPIRIT
A SOULFUL JOURNEY
The primary goal for WILSON is to create images with one idea in mind – to bring a sense of pleasure to the viewer, whether it is peace or joy or stillness. Doing that in these stressful times, creating places where people can go and hide from a crazy world is the most important thing WILSON can accomplish as an artist. It is difficult to know and understand the depth of this man's vision, and like many famous artists WILSON has a strangely quiet yet powerful presence. He is the ultimate genuine artist who, by choice, has been very much UNDERGROUND with his creative talent. Over the years he has developed a cult following who, like WILSON, prefer to quietly enjoy and appreciate art in their private collections.
WILSON’s artwork approaches us with both the emotional force of vivid and unusual color, and at times the simplicity of flattened out planes, bringing the everyday to life with extraordinary intensity. Though his works are vibrant and intense, they somehow project a sense of calm, serenity, and at times an easygoing buoyancy, leaving us wondering as to the nature of this paradoxical effect.
WILSON was born in Glasgow in 1945, the only child in a working class family. He was drawn to the arts and bought his first serious set of paints, brushes and canvases at an early age. He proved to be graced with a rich imagination, which flourished during his time spent at high school. As the tumultuous 1960s unfolded, WILSON became involved in leading a Rhythm and Blues band, went to live in London, and was swept up in the excitement of rock and roll, the Beatles, and what was to become known as the “British Invasion.” The artistic movements spawned in the psychedelic revolution particularly drew WILSON, leading him to the works of surrealists like Magritte, Dali and Ernst as he explored his own creative drive. Traces of this influence can be seen in the paradoxical effect of WILSON’s works and the sometimes-startling juxtapositions of objects and elements. WILSON also admired Picasso and the American Artists such as Warhol and Lichtenstein. We can see these influences in his focus on everyday subjects.
WILSON began to create and sell his own paintings and in 1967 was invited to present his work at a London gallery— his first taste of a group exhibition. It was a resounding success, and this encouraged him to continue with his artistic development. Prior to going to London, at the age of 19, he was admitted and studied at the Glasgow School of Art,. He anticipated learning new techniques and new art forms but left after a year, disillusioned by the way the courses were conducted. Instead, he continued to paint for himself, and began to discover his passion and powerful creativity. There he discovered Picasso’s late Cubism, with its more recognizable forms, and the color and infused light of Parrish and Chagall. Each of these artists was to strongly influence WILSON over time. The element of light is key to every WILSON artwork, a presence that gives mysterious 3-D form to the flat geometric planes comprising many of his images as well as a spiritual illumination.
His artworks cover a diverse range of everyday subjects though there are a few that are quite distinctive; dramatic arrays of brilliantly colored flowers and vases, spectacular light and pattern. Regardless of the subject matter, the results are paintings rich with dramatic content and intense color, with a luminous and sometimes whimsical quality. When pressed to describe his style, WILSON suggests that at times he creates a sort of “Humorous Modern Art,” but adds that the search to label his work often constrains him, so he prefers that each viewer define his art by what they see in it. As his personal vision guides him through each painting, he asks that the viewer allow their own emotions to guide them through the experience of enjoying the artwork.
WILSON has his artwork represented in the United States, England, in Italy, and more recently in the land that he loves, and in which he finds great inspiration, New Zealand. WILSON has followed his passion for music and love of art in a semi recluse state for a number of years, but very recently a close friend of WILSON has managed to persuade him to come to the rainforests of Sarawak and to accept the invitation to be the 'Artist in Residence' at the Royal Mulu Resort. When asked why he would leave the land that he loves, and his circle of friends and family to go to Sarawak, he responded .... in his typical Zen fashion .... 'The Umbrella of the Rainforest is Calling me" ..and further said, when the PASSION of an admirer and friend resonates with WILSON's PASSION for the opportunity to experience the raw beauty of the rainforests, then the decision is clear. 2009 is the dawning of a new and powerful phase in my artistic journey' WILSON respectfully has written this poem .....MULU ..
