The movement and colour in Barrington Tabb's work is immediately recognisable as the work of an original and distinguished artist.
Within the skyline of his urban subjects he uses both vivid enlightening colour and dark brooding brushstrokes to convey the inner life of the city that he loves. Here is an artist who is clearly unique in his ability to locate the visual poetry of the urban landscape.
Barrington Tabb paints his native city of Bristol with the same passion that can be seen in many of the Impressionist and Primitive painters that he greatly admires, indeed he has become known as ‘Bristol’s painter’ in much the same way as LS Lowry was famed for painting the people and scenes of Manchester: “When I was young I was fascinated by colour and was influenced early on by Alfred Wallis and the Italian painters. Later, I admired the work of Cezanne, Vlaminck, Soutine and most of all Vincent Van Gogh for their bold statements and lavish use of colours in their strength and power. Although I admire the Impressionists, I would regard myself as an Expressionist, painting my being into my work.”
Look closely at Tabb’s work and you can feel yourself being drawn into the maelstrom of paint and colour that he creates. His sensual approach in his use of oil gives his work depth and a physicality that reflects his passion and love for both his art and subject. Tabb is a prolific painter and is a member of the Royal West of England Academy (RWA). He has enjoyed highly successful exhibitions in Bristol, Bath, London and Dublin and we are proud to be presenting his works as our opening exhibition at our new gallery in Sevenoaks.