In this exhibition, Hayward has created a series of paintings responding to his joint residency with the Gallery and West Dean College, inspired by artists in the collection and the Sussex landscape.

Haroun Hayward’s vibrant practice celebrates hybridity, drawing upon a diverse array of influences from Modern British landscape painting and abstract expressionism, to dance music, rave culture and graffiti. His paintings lean towards abstraction, with shapes inspired by the rhythmic connections between sound, pattern and form, developed through a distinctive use of watercolour, oil paint and oil stick. His practice also takes inspiration from his mother’s expansive collection of South Asian and West African textiles, seen in the unique oil stick technique he has developed to emulate embroidery.

Inspired by the energy and rhythmic structures of acid house, hardcore and Detroit techno from the 1980s and 1990s, Hayward’s approach to landscape draws upon the processes of sampling, repetition and variation found in music production. With both art forms sharing a search for the transcendental, Hayward has developed a set of processes for handling each section of his works, allowing layers of technique and texture to coexist within a single piece.

This talk is part of our Thursday Late event series. By purchasing this talk ticket you gain free access to our galleries, exhibitions and drop-in activities from 5–8.30pm.