Brian Harris, Abstract Artist
Brian has a background in studying architecture, and during that time took up painting and sculpture with a number of exhibitions, both group and solo. Most of Brian's career has been as an Arts Administrator, including setting up and running Battersea Arts Centre and working for the Arts Council.
For the last 35 years, Brian has been a freelance arts development consultant, working on projects that include theatres, arts centres and art galleries, including Hackney Empire restoration and new arts centres in East Grinstead and Berwick Upon Tweed. Since retiring he has refocused again on his painting.
Most of Brian's works are small scale and created with gouache on paper. His work is inspired by landscape, structures and buildings, often resulting from his travels around the world. The subjects are simplified, abstracted and colour-modified, creating an atmosphere, feel or impression rather than a precise representative image. Often it’s the structure of the subject that interests Brian, and it is that which will be a painting's predominant feature. The degree of abstraction varies; some with clear representations of the subject and others very abstract - colour and texture are key.
Brian is currently Chair of ArtCan and of the Streatham Space Project.