PAUL MCKNIGHT
ARTIST STATEMENT
I began painting seriously about 12 years ago after a long career as an art educator. I found that spending all of my time with students I had no energy or time left over for my own creative endeavours.
I originally studied Fine Arts, Australian Literature, Ancient History and Archaeology at the University of Sydney.
My early paintings were my training, and apart from 12 months tuition at Sydney Teachers College, I am self taught and needed to find my own style.
I began painting teacups after being given a number of tea cup settings from my grandmother.
Her morning and afternoon teas were quite a memorable feature of my visits with her. Memories of lavish family country morning and afternoon tea's where time was taken to enjoy the simple things in life made them feel special.
For the past 10 years I have been working, developing and exploring the possibilities within this theme.
The main focus in my work is the emphasis on complex and intricate patterning and colour relationships.
My mantra is certainly not "less is more", it is "more is never enough" in regard for my love of painting pattern on top of pattern. I love excess in all its forms.
A great deal of emphasis is placed upon the reflections and patterns on the porcelain, on the cutlery and on the elements floating on the tea itself.
The reflection and refraction of light plays
an important role in the paintings.
My aim is to instill everyday objects that inspire me with a sense of beauty and opulence.
I try to infuse a sense of joy and nostalgia in my work where one seeks solace and solitude in a moment in time.
As a reaction to the intrusion of social media, technology and advertising into our public and private lives, I aim to create in my work a sense of blissful ignorance and escapism.