#alexander heaton

[theresidence]

We are also selling these 'Woggle Bracelets' made from climbing rope which was kindly donated by Arthur Beale Ltd. and made by Alexander himself.

£20 each with all proceeds going towards the Nepal disaster. Available from the gallery reception in a range of colours.

[theresidence]

Interview - Part 1

We recently got in touch with Alexander himself personally to delve a little deeper into his reasoning behind ‘Project Thin Air’. This two part series will delve into his inspirations, techniques and thoughts on recent events that have given this work an unexpected significance.

You consider the logistical implications of creating art within this extreme environment, but was there a personal reason beyond the journey? Why Nepal?

Nepal is a country i have always dreamed of visiting ever since my father showed me his photographic slides of his expeditions there in the 70's and 80's. He was looking for rare alpine flowers and leading other mountaineers to the Annapurna sanctuary. I wanted to step into his pictures and walk into those unknown valleys. Also, much of the philosophical thought I have read and researched has its roots in the Himalayas. For example books like Lost Horizon describe the the mythic kingdom of Shangri-La and its implications to to our western civilisation which is often so in opposition to a more humane, quiet and reflective existence.            

Was there a deeper reason as to why you were eager to represent something quite metaphysical within the works visual approach? The tough conditions could encourage an artist to envision these scenes within an almost surrealist mindset.

Much of my past work has had surrealist and talismanic symbolism mixed into my visual language of landscape. For this body of work I didn't want to present anything too mystical that may not translate well to the viewer. I was more interested in truthful depiction of my surroundings in an existential way. As for me the real fantastic thing about these frozen worlds is actually how they are, and in turn how they force you to be when your within them. Your not left much room to negotiate and I like that, as you know where you can stand both literally and in your ideas.

What were your reference points? What tools did you work with? Did you work from details or say, single image references?

Light was everything, and how it seemed focused and bent at the beginning and end of the day in the golden hour.  Escaping its glare also, being warm for a few hours enabled small pencil and pen sketching a tent. The sun rising therefore being allowed to stop by my sherpa companion to grab a drink, photo, and breath. I worked with a good digital camera getting shots and stitching them together later to make panoramas. In the end I settled on this one image of the dawn light starting on Kanchenjunga and spreading over all the Himalayan peaks.

[theresidence]

In light of recent events, Alexander is also auctioning off one of his previous works with proceeds going directly to the Nepal Disaster Fund. 

Click here to view the listing: http://goo.gl/7uNTvN

[theresidence]

In a weeks time, The Residence Gallery will be hosting the private view event for Alexander Heaton's upcoming solo show entitled 'Project Thin Air', a body of work consisting of paintings which document Heaton's previous climb in the Khumbu region of eastern Nepal.

Take a look at our flyer below for more information, and a brief excerpt of the press release.

You can view this in full here: http://goo.gl/n9e2uG

[thefile-blog]

 ▣ Alexander Heaton Back Country Paintings | creative crossing

"I prescribe whole heartily to the restorative effects of loosing ones self in the sublime expanses of natures inner realms. My work comes out of a feeling of loss, when I return from wandering the hills and primeval forests."

Alex’s new paintings can be seen on his website  www.alexanderheaton.co.uk