Andrew Hunt's 'Neepsend Clutches' is a total showstopper. A contemporary painting which is like none other in his oeuvre, we are met with a majestic white horse, galloping towards us amidst a backdrop of post-industrial Northern England.
- Media: oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 136 x 91cm
- Price: SOLD
Andrew Hunt's 'Neepsend Clutches' is a total showstopper. A contemporary painting which is like none other in his oeuvre, we are met with a majestic white horse, galloping towards us amidst a backdrop of post-industrial Northern England. Set in Neepsend, Sheffield, this piece provides a narrative of this evolving part of the city. An area with a rich industrial history, when the street in this painting was built it would have been the height of the industrial revolution. Today, these old mills and garages are in the process of regeneration and redevelopment, slowly becoming a hub of new bars and eateries. An almost surrealist addition which stands out amongst Hunt's collection, the white horse symbolises the rapid change of transportation, machinery and industry. Dramatic, almost Americana clouds bring a depth and darkness to this piece, imbued with narrative, fostering a 'Wild West' aura in conjunction with the vacant streets below. Each element of this composition has its own role to play to represent this era of change, whilst also commemorating the rich history of Neepsend. “This is my kind of one-horse town in Sheffield” Hunt's oeuvre is full of distinctive contrasts. Each piece has its own narrative to tell, and has a way of turning the typically mundane, everyday settings into works of fine art. Hunt is an experienced painter, which is evident in his vivid, photo-real depictions of landscapes people, and the compositional technicalities behind his work. The bare edges of this piece remind us of the physicality and gravity of the paint, as paint drips contrast effectively to the photo-real style of the painting. Even his pieces which do not include people have a real sense of narrative and are endlessly engaging - he has the way of capturing a spirit of a space through paint, and the marks left behind by human activity - in this case, working class, industrial workers. This element of narrative reflects Hunt's role as a storyteller through his works - with a creative background in book illustration, telling stories has become a pivotal part of his practice. Like a playwright, Hunt creates his own stories and characters and brings them to life on canvas, inviting his viewer to apply their own narrative. A totally unique contemporary composition, this piece would make an exciting addition to any art collection.