Parkgate’s Artroom Gallery welcomes seascape artist Alexander Slatter back for an eight week solo show

Mar 17 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

PARKGATE’S Artroom Gallery has welcomed seascape artist Alexander Slatter back for an eight week solo show.

Painting in a style described as “contemporary romanticism”, Alexander seeks patterns in the chaotic shapes and structures thrown up by waves, and their subsequent reflection of light.

Working in oil, his pieces range from large squares to panoramic views, with beaches, waves and the sea featuring prominently.

Alexander said: “My wave paintings really started as a direct result of being out on the beaches and on the water, in yachts and kayaks.

“I love the sea in all its moods, from the flat calm of a creek or summer evening to experiencing the fury of a force.”

He describes his eight study of seascapes as “an addiction”, as he seeks simplicity among the “complex patterns” created by the reflection of light on calm or tumultuous seas.

Alexander explained: “Light is of course the key to variety.

“One of the main fascinations of painting wavescapes is the amazing pattern structures that nature creates, pattern is everywhere just waiting to happen.

“At first the sea and waterfront may seem a chaotic place, however with careful observation one starts to see clear sets of structures which seem to follow simple rules.

“These simple rules in turn create extremely complex patterns.

“This is nature’s ability to turn simplicity into inexplicable complexity.”

Interestingly, Alexander shies away from showing land on many of his seascapes, thus challenging the focus of the viewer, and allowing the images to appear as if floating on and off the canvas.

Artroom’s Michelle Linger said: “As well as the feelings of the waves, and the way Alexander continues his seascapes which wrap around the sides of the canvases, it is the movement and fascination.

“People really believe they have been drawn inside the canvas and are on the beach.

“They consistently see more within his canvases as they observe the picture.”

Seascape Dreams runs at Artroom Gallery, The Parade, Parkgate from March 13 to May 2. Visit artroom.uk.com or call 08700 852085 for more.