GUY MORGAN

ARTIST STATEMENT

The linework in these three paintings represents a key development in Guy’s portraiture practice and a progression from the initial #afterretinaldetachment series. Influenced by Matisse’s linework and Gauguin’s Tahitian palette, the study for Fiona writing concentrates on establishing unconventional shapes, colours and tones to create and simplify her facial features. Blue Boy (portrait of the artist’s son Max) is the first work in this series to utilise simplification of form and remains one of Guy’s favourite works.

BIO

Guy turned to portraiture in 2012 to demonstrate to others what he sees after an 80% retinal detachment left him with permanently distorted vision (there are now no round circles or straight lines when viewing with his left eye). As a result Guy’s #afterretinaldetachment portraiture practice investigates ‘Recognisable Identity without Visual Fidelity’.

Award Highlights:

2014 Inaugural Winner, Who is Looking at You Portrait Prize, Melbourne
2013 & 2015 Archibald Prize Finalist
2017 Archibald Salon des Refusés
2015 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize Finalist
2013, 2014, 2015, & 2017 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize six time semi-finalist
2014, 2016 & 2018 Percival Biannual Portrait Prize, Townsville, Qld
2014 & 2017 Black Swan Portrait Prize, Perth, WA
2015, 2016 & 2017 Finalist, KAAF Art Award, Korean Cultural Centre, Sydney
2016 Finalist, Eutick Still Life Art Award, Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery
2012, 2013, 2015 Finalist – Mosman Art Prize
2014 Finalist, Fishers Ghost Art Award Open Section, Campbelltown Art Centre