Ian Rayer-Smith
Manchester
UK based contemporary artist, living a life with paint
My artistic inspiration draws from various sources, as much from the techniques of the Old Masters as it does from our everevolving contemporary culture. My primary aim is to create paintings which deliver a powerful emotional impact, or which exude a captivating force of energy. For me, the essence of painting lies not so much in what is represented, but rather in how it will affect the viewer. My art is an amalgamation of influences, from the Abstract Expressionists to the Renaissance, combining emotional rawness and mark-making with the timeless elements of composition, light, and movement.
My work is further shaped by contemporary culture and my own personal experiences. I infuse a classical essence into my
creations while exploring new visual paths, ultimately delving into the very purpose of painting itself. My pressing urge is to use
paint to explore new forms which will ultimately carry emotional weight. I try to never recreate an image. Instead, I may use it as a
reference point for moving from one painting to the next. I want my paintings pose a series of questions, rather than offering clear-cut statements or narratives. I find joy and satisfaction in this pursuit, as the process becomes a reflection of my continuous search for something that may remain elusive-an exploration without an endpoint.
Art making is a timeless form of expression predating formal spoken languages which has accompanied humanity for millennia. It
transcends the boundaries of words. This enables me to communicate emotions and ideas beyond verbal articulation. There is an
undeniable joy in exploring this fundamental and endless aspect of art. We all possess an innate capacity, and the need, to express ourselves visually. This creative urge remains as strong today as it was when our ancestors lived in caves. The language of painting remains a profound means of fathoming the world and sharing the depth of human experience.
Ian Rayer Smith
2018 January Art Palm Beach, West Palm Beach. U.S.A Art Fair
2018 March Talented Art Fair, London
Current:
2017 Screaming Gander Contemporary Art, Manchester. Solo exhibition
2017 Grafene, Manchester. Permnent exhibition
2017 The Soden Collection, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Group exhibition.
2017 Cheshire Art Hub, Chester. Group exhibition.
2017 Galerie Nord, Lille, France. Group exhibition
Previous:
2017 November JP Art Gallery, Battersea, London, UK. Group exhibition
2017 October Manchester Buy Art Fair, Manchester, UK. Art Fair
2017 October Galerie Nord 49R, Lille, France. Two artist exhibition.
2017 October The Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, London, UK. with JP Art Consultancy and Gallery
2017 Sept D-Contemporary, Mayfair, London. UK. Solo Exhibition. 'It's Art Call' 2017 Winners show
2017 April Zari Gallery, Fitzrovia, London. Solo Exhibition
2016 October WCAF, Warrington Museum, Warrington. Group show
2016 September Manchester Buy Art Fair 2016
2016 June/July GM Arts Prize, Shortlisted Award 2016, Manchester
2016 March 'All is more is nothing' Solo show, Screaming Gander Contemporary Art, Manchester
2016 February 'Neo Renaissance' Fishslab Gallery, Whitstable. Solo show
2016 January 'Artrooms London 2016, International Art Fair
2015 October 'Romantica' - 40 small paintings, Screaming Gander, Manchester. Solo show
2015 August/Sept 'Making up for lost time', Stockport Museum and Art Gallery, Stockport/ Gtr Manchester. Solo show
2015 July/Sept 'The destruction of anything familiar', Gallery at Bank Quay House, Warrington. Solo show
2015 June 'Pure Painting' Bar Gallery, London, NW2. Group show
2015 May 'The Open West' The Wilson Art Gallery, Cheltenham
2015 May 'The destruction of anything famliar' Screaming Gander, Manchester
2015 March 'New Artist Fair' 2015, Islington London
2014 October 'Six Months On' Solo exhibition, Screaming Gander, Manchester
2014 October Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival, Warrington Musuem
2014 April 'Flabbergasted!' Solo exhibition, Screaming Gander, Manchester
2013 October 'Synthesis' Festival of Art and Science, Manchester
2013 August 'Off Kilter' Group Show, Manchester
2013 July 'Beautiful Things' Group show, Albert Dock, Liverpool
2013 June 'BA Hons Degree Show, Media City, Salford
2013 May '6.3 x 5 (at odds) Joint Show, Piccadilly, Manchester
2012 April ‘New Blood’ Group Show, Manchester
2011 May ‘WFTL' Group Show, Manchester
2010 September GNT Art Exhibition, Solo Show, Manchester
2010 April Centenary Art Show, Group Show, Salford
2008 April Juice Hub Gallery, Solo Show, Bristol
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