For drawing our task was to give a short 5 minute presentation on a drawing artist you found in London. I chose the artist James Allen. I came across his work at the Jerwood Gallery and he was in the shortlist for this years drawing prize.
James Allen
The verb 'to draw' originates from the old English work 'dragan' meaning to drag/ leave a mark or trace and this is a critical part of Allen's work.
(Liverpool
Station, 2007, charcoal, 126cm x 143cm)
Allen draws both interior and exterior drawings of urban environments often depicting areas that are key tourist destinations. As well as drawing the key shapes Allen also draws illusory traces of figures/ objects in relation to the subject to show traces of movement. He has a good eye for structure and the idea of motion, this could be considered to be an architectural style. The marks within his work are purposely controlled across the page - there is evidence of new, erased and replaced marks which in turn help create a controlled chaos around the still structures.
Interior Drawings
(V&A
Museum Help Desk, 2008, compressed charcoal 42cm x 59cm)
(V&A
Museum Help Desk, 2013, marker pen charcoal and white acrylic 42cm x 59cm)
Above are two drawings of the same location, one old and one more recent. I find it interesting to see how his style has slightly changed and became more detailed in a way. In his more recent drawing he has combined many medias together. I think his more recent work is more controlled but personally I prefer his previous work, it feels more free and gestural with less control.
Exterior Drawings
(St
Paul’s Cathedral, Study 7, 2007, charcoal 84cm x 59cm)
(St
Paul’s Cathedral, figure study 2, 2007, charcoal, 42cm x 59cm)
Shown here are two very different drawings from the same year and location. Both drawings create movement in different ways - the sky in the first drawing feels very threatening depicting the weather at that particular moment. In contrast the other sketch is calmer showing the movement of people in a delicate yet sketchy manor.
His Drawing Process
Allen focuses mainly on the activity of the human figure over long periods of time in contrast to the architecture. He begins his work by making informal sketches that can be small or more exploratory using marker pens and paint. These initial sketches help him to construct larger drawings that will capture his complete experience. He also always uses a variety of approaches to keep his work fresh. When he starts his larger drawings he continues to gather information to enable him to see whats missing. Allen believes that a final piece is not separate, it combines with informal sketches working as a parallel. Also he does not want his drawings to reflect one direct statement, he wants the viewer to be able to use their imagination to piece together the picture allowing for a universal viewing experience for the artist and public.
Recent Work
(City
Hall 2, 2013, marker pen and charcoal 60cm x 59 cm)
This is one of Allen's most recent piece of work. I think it is interesting to contrast this against his earlier work to see how it has changed. His work now seems a lot harder feeling more dramatic in atmosphere. Yet I still believe his work continues to express his key element of movement and structure.
I find his ability to show movement and life in a drawing that consists of a statuary building very interesting and inspiring. I like his technique of applying his ideas quickly with bold gestural marks, that end up creating what looks like a very controlled piece.
