Asa Medhurst is a contemporary figurative artist working in oils and charcoal.

“I love Renaissance style; it’s love affair with the romantic, symbolic and concept of idealized beauty. But I’m equally excited by more contemporary painters, the aesthetics of impressionism, expressionism and realism in conveying the beauty of the everyday.”

“When painting a portrait, I initially get to know my sitters through sketches and conversation. I pose them with objects and artifacts relevant to their lives and practices so the viewer is able to ‘read’ them, as in Renaissance portraiture. Like Holbein, I look for objects, setting or composition that have deeper symbolic meaning than outward appearance may suggest.”

“Similarly, when working on a still life I try to balance an aesthetic narrative with a deeper symbolic meaning.”

Asa graduated from the Kent Institute of Art & Design in 1995 and has since gone on to study at The Royal Drawing School, Art academy and Lavender Hill Studios.

Asa has shown in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition and been short-listed for entry in the BP Portrait Award. Asa lives and works in South London.

Exhibitions

2013Royal Society of Portrait Painters - Annual Exhibition
BP Portrait Award Exhibition - Shortlist
Wing Asylum - Group Show - Asylum Chapel, Peckham, London
Final Flight - Group Show - William Road Gallery, London
Memorabilia - Group Show (in aid of GOSH) - Norlington Road Studios, Laytonstone Arts Trail
Dazed & Refused - Group Show - The Arch Gallery, London
2012Wandsworth Open Studios - Group Show - Wandsworth, London
The Wing Assignment - Group Show - Red Bull Studios, London
Toys - Group Show - Radcliffe & Newlands, London
2011Drawing Crowds - Group Show - Stone Space Gallery, London
100 Square Ft - Group Show - Dalston Old Boys Club, London

@AsaMedhurst

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