Stephen Forbes - Passage: Gormleys Belfast
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Winter, 2024Stephen Forbes -
Junction, 2024Stephen Forbes
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Swarm, 2024Stephen Forbes
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Gathering, 2024Stephen Forbes
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Follow , 2024Stephen Forbes
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Crossing, 2024Stephen Forbes
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Disperce, 2024Stephen Forbes
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Blue Ice I, 2024Stephen Forbes
His captivating style portrays raw emotion and vibrant life in a manner that transcends the limits of canvas.
Passage, the new body of work by the acclaimed Bangor-based artist Stephen Forbes, will be displayed in Gormleys Belfast from April 13 to May 2.
Stephen Forbes was born in Northern Ireland in 1973. A native of Bangor, Co Down he is the embodiment of artistry sparked from a young age. His artistic journey, marked with continuous exploration and refinement, was nurtured first at Liverpool John Moore’s University and then at Royal Academy Schools, London, where his style and approach were polished.
His captivating style portrays raw emotion and vibrant life in a manner that transcends the limits of canvas. In an enthralling blend of energy, passion and mastery, Forbes’ artistic style is hugely captivating. His artistry is less about depicting physical reality, and more about conveying emotion, atmosphere and the energy of the subjects. In this series of work he applies striking bold layers of paint, in which he skilfully juxtaposes vibrant hues with a nuanced
understanding of light and shadow.
Pleasure is a word seldom used in the vocabulary of art criticism and commentary; yet it is the term with which best describes Forbes works. People dancing, ice skating, friends gathering and talking - a celebration of playfulness which ignores the obsessive introspection about self, the pretentious addressing of social issues, and the knowing speculation about the process of art making - these are
the starting points for the works by Forbes.
Stephen has exhibited at the Royal Academy Main Galleries, The Royal Academy Sackler Wing, The Royal Hibernian Academy Dublin, London Art Fair and The
Royal Ulster Academy. His work is held in public and private collections including the Allied Irish Bank, The Deutsche Bank, The Four Seasons Hotel, Queens University
Belfast, Leverhulme, The Ulster Bank and The Office of Public Works.
A body of work intended to bring the observer from huge colourful crowds to the most minute details is set to enchant art afficionados.
Passage, the new body of work by the acclaimed Bangor-based artist Stephen Forbes, will be displayed in Gormleys Belfast from April 13 to May 2.
The new pieces, which reach up to 1.5m squared, intentionally draw the observer from the macro level of a crowd to the micro levels of human behaviour, revealing snapshots of daily life.
“Forbes’ recent body of work is a further and more refined examination of human interaction,” said Gerard Gormley.
“He has simplified the backdrop of the situation these figures move about on, and instead puts more emphasis on the figures themselves.
“This simpler backdrop allows the vibrant coloured bodies to buzz and take centre stage, and the placements and interaction of the busy scene is as important as the figures themselves.
“This allows the viewer’s eye to wander across the surface and become drawn in by a person deep in conversation or late for a meeting.
“It is these mundane yet vital narratives that hold the viewer’s attention, reflecting on the complexity of life.”
Born in Northern Ireland in 1973, Forbes trained at the prestigious Royal Academy School in London and has enjoyed international success since.
Described as a modern-day L.S Lowry, Forbes’ impasto and textured approach to painting brings his figures to life while creating a dynamic and energetic scene.
His artistic journey, marked with continuous exploration and refinement, was nurtured first at Liverpool John Moore’s University and then at Royal Academy Schools, London, where his style and approach were polished.
People dancing, ice skating, friends gathering and talking - a celebration of playfulness which ignores the obsessive introspection about self, the pretentious addressing of social issues, and the knowing speculation about the process of art making - these are the starting points for the works by Forbes.
He has exhibited at the Royal Academy London, the RHA Dublin and the RUA Belfast, and his work is held in many important collections including Queens University Belfast, AIB, The Deutsche Bank, The Four Seasons Hotel Dublin and The Office of Public Works.
