The 2024 Show
Curatorial Review
The 2024 Show is a publication-exhibition mix consisting of works from 2024 to celebrate the end of the year and super contemporary artists and their works.
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Westcott’s Rush Hour Eccles showcases the rush hour in the early morning with the skies beautifully set against the highway while the artificial lights create a dreary scene within the work. As the highway has been set within the centre of the work- it helps to guide the viewer downwards as though they are themself participating within the rush hour- a common experience within present day society.
Examining the lighting of the painting much closer- we can discern that the scene had rain. This is due to the lights of the cars reflecting giving vibrancy and heightened realism to the work. Therefore creating a hazy soft and relaxed scene despite the harshness of rush hour. Moving towards the textural elements of the painting; we find that the brushwork of the piece is impasto. This gives the work tactility thus adding depth to the trees and more rough elements of the painting. Alongside this, the impasto technique also gives the cars a blurry effect giving movement and captures the fleeting nature of the moment; much like a shutter photograph of a moving vehicle. |
Bridgewater Hall Manchester. From first glance; we notice that the artwork is centered on the building giving it prominence and instantaneously drawing the viewers attention. Then downwards in the painting- there are people which add life and movement contrasting directly with the clean blocks of colour of the building and the perfectly symmetrical geometric lines to showcase the glass.
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Winter Tram Stops Manchester. An urban winter scene set against the contrasts of cool blues and purple with warm yellow which contrasts well complemented with the layering of paint giving an vibrant impressionistic quality to the work. Furthermore, the painting is centred on the tramline which guides the viewer down the tracks towards the more cold and stark highrise buildings.
The figures in the painting seem to be very blurred or abstracted allowing for the viewer to interpret the scene personally- had they been there before; filling in the gaps. Though only more closely visible through examining the painting- these people add a vibrancy to the scene when juxtaposed with the cold colours of the city and of- winter, itself. |
Conclusion
Overall, Philip R Westcott’s work shows great skill in painting- as shown in the impasto technique of the paintings creating nostalgic scenes with the great use of light and colour. While utilizing the elements of the area (the highway and the tram tracks) to capture the viewers attention and guide them within the painting to explore the scene.
The viewer can visually experience the place through the painting due to the active movement, texture and set within areas we may have seen or been to. The use of light within these paintings create an atmosphere that transports us, the viewer, into these bustling environments that merge calm and activity together perfectly.
– Joshua Obara Norwood
Overall, Philip R Westcott’s work shows great skill in painting- as shown in the impasto technique of the paintings creating nostalgic scenes with the great use of light and colour. While utilizing the elements of the area (the highway and the tram tracks) to capture the viewers attention and guide them within the painting to explore the scene.
The viewer can visually experience the place through the painting due to the active movement, texture and set within areas we may have seen or been to. The use of light within these paintings create an atmosphere that transports us, the viewer, into these bustling environments that merge calm and activity together perfectly.
– Joshua Obara Norwood
ARTIST CLOSEUP June 2024
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101 Contemporary Artists Magazine 2024
Dear artist,
First of all, thank you for your contribution to the 5th edition of our book.
The '101 Contemporary Artists and More...' book series serves as an aesthetic exploration of what contemporary art offers to viewers and how it intertwines with literature. Through this series, we aim to showcase artists and writers actively shaping today's history—individuals worthy of attention, inspiring exploration of the unconventional and unexpected. We aspire to evoke emotions, challenge preconceptions, and provoke introspection, leaving readers and viewers occasionally feeling exposed, vulnerable, and authentically natural.
First of all, thank you for your contribution to the 5th edition of our book.
The '101 Contemporary Artists and More...' book series serves as an aesthetic exploration of what contemporary art offers to viewers and how it intertwines with literature. Through this series, we aim to showcase artists and writers actively shaping today's history—individuals worthy of attention, inspiring exploration of the unconventional and unexpected. We aspire to evoke emotions, challenge preconceptions, and provoke introspection, leaving readers and viewers occasionally feeling exposed, vulnerable, and authentically natural.
Dear Philip - Congratulations
We are pleased to let you know that you are appearing in Hidden Talents Magazine, an excellent opportunity for you to share your story and artwork with the world.
This publication is highly respected and widely read, and I do not doubt that your feature will be met with great enthusiasm from readers around the globe. Your work deserves to be celebrated, and we are thrilled that you can share it with so many.
Please know that your feature reflects your incredible talent and hard work, and you should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment.
Finally, thank you for helping to build a long and lasting worldwide platform for artists, your contribution to the art community is invaluable, and I do not doubt that your work will continue to inspire and delight for years to come.
We are pleased to let you know that you are appearing in Hidden Talents Magazine, an excellent opportunity for you to share your story and artwork with the world.
This publication is highly respected and widely read, and I do not doubt that your feature will be met with great enthusiasm from readers around the globe. Your work deserves to be celebrated, and we are thrilled that you can share it with so many.
Please know that your feature reflects your incredible talent and hard work, and you should be incredibly proud of this accomplishment.
Finally, thank you for helping to build a long and lasting worldwide platform for artists, your contribution to the art community is invaluable, and I do not doubt that your work will continue to inspire and delight for years to come.
Article in Hidden Talents Magazine Winter 2023
Interview in Altrincham Today Autumn 2023
#altrichamtoday #goosegreenartgallery #goosegreen
behind the ARTIST interview
Painting of #eccles featured in the #dailymirror 17/10/23
Editors Pick Artists & Illustrators 20/08/2018
Gallerium exhibition July 2023
A digital painting Featured in Artistonish Contemporary Art Magazine
Article in The Lancastrian Magazine Spring 2023
Article in The Daily Mirror May 2023
Gallerium 'AQUA' exhibition Feb 2023
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Collect art book of contemporary artists Jan 2023
Salford Now interview Dec 2022
www.salfordnow.co.uk/2022/12/14/eccles-town-hall-painting-wins-artwork-of-the-month-in-national-magazine/Eccles Town Hall painting wins 'Artwork of the Month' in national magazine (salfordnow.co.uk)
Light and Shadow Exhibition 2022
Article in 'Tubes' publication ART from the Northern Heartlands
Article in the Manchester Evening News 12/06/2022
Article in Lancashire Life
Salford artists document the coronavirus pandemic | Great British Life
Salford artists document the coronavirus pandemic | Great British Life
Press cuttings etc. from over the years featuring my work
Salford Star March 2020 http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=5557
An article about the art club's reaction to the virus covid-19
www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/salford-artists-coronavirus-7056134
Artist of the Week at the Lowry 'Days Like These' Exhibition https://thelowry.com/dayslikethese/artist-in-focus-philip-westcott/
A recent article in which I am mentioned December 2019
An Article from the Salford Star
A Page in Painter's Tube International Magazine Featuring my paintings
https://newsstand.joomag.com/en/painters-tubes-magazine-tag-1-tubes-artists-gallery/0704908001580807690newsstand.joomag.com/en/painters-tubes-magazine-tag-1-tubes-artists-gallery/0704908001580807690
Revive Magazine July 2020
Painters TUBES magazine May 2020 'Landscapes'
The Artist Magazine Dec 2021
Lancashire Life June 2020
“The struggle to buy basic supplies” Salford Artists make new paintings of living history
By ZoeBott on 6th April 2020 in Art, Community Salford Now magazine.
Salford artists are creating pieces to reflect the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Many artists across the city are coming together to create pieces of art to reflect the current situation some of which are comical, and some others are more thought-provoking sketches.
Art is a way of coping and gives people a chance to escape the worries of the present situation
Phillip Westcott, a member of Salford Art Club said: “Art can have a very therapeutic effect during this pandemic, whether through its practice or appreciation.
“People can become very depressed at this time and doing something artistic gives them a chance to focus on that and not on other problems in their life.
“For some, like myself, it was a chance to do a couple of paintings from events that moved me; like the struggle to buy basic supplies.”
Mr Westcott is a member of Salford Art Club which cannot meet at the moment due to the closure of Salford Museum and Art Gallery because of Coronavirus.
The closure of Salford Museum and Art Gallery has meant that the museum is currently struggling during these unprecedented times.
Members of the Salford Art Club have all reacted in different ways.
With many artists taking inspirations from the unusual sights as a result of Covid-19. Mr Westcott went on to say: “Anything that helps people get through it, such as art, must be a good thing.
“Even my father in law who hasn’t painted for about 80 years, did a couple of paintings using a pad and paint set that we bought him.”
The local artist explained his inspiration for his own sketches: “When the virus first caused panic buying, I was lucky enough to be on holiday in Mexico, with my wife; a country at the time not affected by it.
“As days past we saw newspaper articles about shortages, but it wasn’t until we came back to Salford and tried to buy everyday items that reality struck and seeing people desperately searching for toilet rolls struck a chord with me.“Seeing this, I reworked one of my old sketches of an old lady and hoped that people would appreciate the problems they were having.”
Mr Westcott worries about what is to come from this pandemic and went on to explain: “I personally will continue to do figure studies of people living their lives in and around Salford in these trying times.
“But I fear that sadly, some of the people I will portray may not survive and it could be a long time before we see groups of old people sat on a bench, chatting happily and passing the time in each other’s company.”
Families across Salford have also been getting artistic as many are drawing rainbows as a symbol of respect for the NHS and key workers during this stressful time
The Salford Art Club member praised the involvement of children in showing appreciation for those doing essential jobs.
Mr Westcott said: “Involving children is a brilliant idea and it’s important as it keeps them occupied and helps then to understand in some small way that people are making everyday sacrifices in these trying times.
“By focusing on how they can show their appreciation, it could also help some of them cope with not seeing family and friends. It can help them to feel not so isolated especially if they are going for a walk, as part of their daily exercise, they see other windows with the rainbow sign.
“Friends of ours even involved the whole family cutting out hand shapes on different coloured paper and then making a large rainbow that filled the window.”
The Salford artist concluded by reflecting on the current situation. “We are certainly taking part in living history, which is being recorded now by artists, like myself. “It will be important social evidence for future generations to see how the Coronavirus of 2020 affected the people of Salford and the UK.”
http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2020/04/06/the-struggle-to-buy-basic-supplies-salford-artists-make-new-paintings-of-living-history/
Many artists across the city are coming together to create pieces of art to reflect the current situation some of which are comical, and some others are more thought-provoking sketches.
Art is a way of coping and gives people a chance to escape the worries of the present situation
Phillip Westcott, a member of Salford Art Club said: “Art can have a very therapeutic effect during this pandemic, whether through its practice or appreciation.
“People can become very depressed at this time and doing something artistic gives them a chance to focus on that and not on other problems in their life.
“For some, like myself, it was a chance to do a couple of paintings from events that moved me; like the struggle to buy basic supplies.”
Mr Westcott is a member of Salford Art Club which cannot meet at the moment due to the closure of Salford Museum and Art Gallery because of Coronavirus.
The closure of Salford Museum and Art Gallery has meant that the museum is currently struggling during these unprecedented times.
Members of the Salford Art Club have all reacted in different ways.
With many artists taking inspirations from the unusual sights as a result of Covid-19. Mr Westcott went on to say: “Anything that helps people get through it, such as art, must be a good thing.
“Even my father in law who hasn’t painted for about 80 years, did a couple of paintings using a pad and paint set that we bought him.”
The local artist explained his inspiration for his own sketches: “When the virus first caused panic buying, I was lucky enough to be on holiday in Mexico, with my wife; a country at the time not affected by it.
“As days past we saw newspaper articles about shortages, but it wasn’t until we came back to Salford and tried to buy everyday items that reality struck and seeing people desperately searching for toilet rolls struck a chord with me.“Seeing this, I reworked one of my old sketches of an old lady and hoped that people would appreciate the problems they were having.”
Mr Westcott worries about what is to come from this pandemic and went on to explain: “I personally will continue to do figure studies of people living their lives in and around Salford in these trying times.
“But I fear that sadly, some of the people I will portray may not survive and it could be a long time before we see groups of old people sat on a bench, chatting happily and passing the time in each other’s company.”
Families across Salford have also been getting artistic as many are drawing rainbows as a symbol of respect for the NHS and key workers during this stressful time
The Salford Art Club member praised the involvement of children in showing appreciation for those doing essential jobs.
Mr Westcott said: “Involving children is a brilliant idea and it’s important as it keeps them occupied and helps then to understand in some small way that people are making everyday sacrifices in these trying times.
“By focusing on how they can show their appreciation, it could also help some of them cope with not seeing family and friends. It can help them to feel not so isolated especially if they are going for a walk, as part of their daily exercise, they see other windows with the rainbow sign.
“Friends of ours even involved the whole family cutting out hand shapes on different coloured paper and then making a large rainbow that filled the window.”
The Salford artist concluded by reflecting on the current situation. “We are certainly taking part in living history, which is being recorded now by artists, like myself. “It will be important social evidence for future generations to see how the Coronavirus of 2020 affected the people of Salford and the UK.”
http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2020/04/06/the-struggle-to-buy-basic-supplies-salford-artists-make-new-paintings-of-living-history/
Artists Responding to Feb 2021
1.PNG | ZINE LIBRARY (artistsrespondingto.co.uk)www.artistsrespondingto.co.uk/zine?pgid=klktsewa-f2720ee4-2697-490c-8938-1ca0cc1f01a2&fbclid=IwAR1eUhoNFjWBSr4_aq2QgQYUnrASKrpNUF1cLSqvi6Uq3aBZDatciZpUx7s
Saddleworth Independent Sept 2021
