Art Funded by you

Foreign Correspondent

Graham Dean, 1987

© the artist's estate. All Rights Reserved 2010 / Bridgeman Art Library

According to the artist, this work was painted in 1987 when he had no idea that traumatic events were about to unfold in those public squares from Red to Tiananmen. A basically monochromatic painting, the sole colour being the skin - this is a very simple but an enigmatic, haunting painting. Graham Dean works in watercolour on thick, handmade Indian paper, which he then tears and collages to achieve very large paintings. The torn edges are clearly visible, giving the material itself a presence. The inconsistencies of the paper are often a determining factor in the direction a painting will take: the ridges, creases, crevices, dents, and variable sizing all affect the absorbency and potential for visual effect. One of the artist's aims has been to re-invent watercolour painting on a large scale, relishing the watercolour effect but using and subverting its characteristics, to explore the sensual qualities of the paint yet to be as ambitious as possible, both in size and content.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Foreign Correspondent, 1987

Date supported

1996

Medium and material

Watercolour on paper

Dimensions

141 x 163 cm

Grant

2000

Total cost

6000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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