An impressively photorealistic composition, ‘Game Over’ by Sheffield-based artist Andrew Hunt gives us a painted glimpse into the everyday British Landscape. Imbued with character, Hunt’s works tell a story, and seek to show the “Innate heroism enriched in the everyday”.
- Media: framed oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 100 x 50cm
- Price: SOLD
‘Game Over’ is a contemporary landscape painting by Andrew Hunt, an artist renowned for his more figurative works. Although Hunt's landscapes are often more secluded than his figurative pieces, they are nonetheless imbued with character. A gloomy and overcast setting, ‘Game Over’ presents the human marks left behind on the landscape; perhaps the negative space of a previous human presence? It provides a snapshot of a typical British landscape, with a subtle nod to classic wide-lens American cinematic scenes. After living in Sheffield for over 16 years, Hunt is heavily inspired by the Northern English landscape, and it is a prominent theme throughout his oeuvre. 'Game Over' takes us to the Lincolnshire landscape, and reflects Hunt's childhood growing up in North Wales in the 1970s and 1980s. Back then, the caravan was a symbol of ultimate freedom and travel - 'Game Over' abandons this concept, and demonstrates how travel has changed over time. Here the caravan has become an anachronism for every day life; it is stagnant; stuck in muddy, derelict grounds, as though stuck in the past. “I have endeavoured to celebrate the human condition with warmth and affection, transforming the everyday quirks of life into figurative and landscape art” With an abandoned, grimy plastic chair against a backdrop of edgy graffiti; there's no doubt this caravan has been left there for some time - we are left to piece the narrative together for ourselves. Who did this caravan belong to? Who sat in this chair? The caravan itself has been skilfully painted. Almost hyperreal in style, Hunt's astounding eye for detail is evident, reflecting 25 years’ experience as a painter. The dark, cinematic clouds appear as though they’ve been taken directly from a Salvador Dali painting, whilst the blue skies are hopeful yet cold, signalling a Winter's afternoon. A vertical telephone pole and the horizontal pops of green and blue guide our eye and bring balance to the overall composition, providing a surrounding symmetry to the tilted caravan in the foreground. The title alludes to the graffiti in the painting, which was inspired by graffiti on a bridge that Hunt spotted on his travels - 'Game Over'. A phrase which generates an air of pessimism - why could it be game over? Hunt's paintings are powerful in their ability to catalyse nostalgia and familiarity, particularly to a Northern audience. ‘Game Over’ is a prime example of this, and of Hunt's ability to capture and celebrate the everyday, 'Kitchen Sink' quirks and spirit of British life which are often taken for granted.
Andrew Hunt is a realist figurative artist based in Sheffield, in the North of England. After graduating with a BA in Illustration from Bath Academy of Art, Hunt began a career in children's book illustration, before discovering that painting was his calling. With now over 25 years' experience as a painter, Hunt boasts an impressive portfolio including his involvement with the BP National Portrait Award and a commission for the BBC’s much-loved Peaky Blinders. Hunt is a highly skilled and versatile artist whose works are imbued with narrative, and seek to celebrate the 'Kitchen Sink', mundane themes of the every day. He paints his subjects with the utmost care and honesty – any piece by Andrew Hunt would be a valuable addition to any home, gallery or contemporary art collection.