56 x 38cm on 300gsm Watercolour Paper
Angus McEwan PRSW RWS AWI NWS RGI
Angus McEwan is an international award-winning painter of watercolour realism and the relationship of time and its effect on material objects. Angus is an elected member of many art societies, including the world’s oldest, the Royal Watercolour Society (RWS); the Australian watercolour Society (AWI); the National watercolour Society, USA (NWS); The Royal Scottish Society of watercolours (RSW); the International Masters of Watercolour Association, China (IMWA); the Royal Glasgow Institute (RGI) and the San Diego Watercolour Society (SDWS). In 2022 Angus was elected President of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours,
A brand ambassador for Daniel Smith paints, Angus has won prizes in many countries, and is highly sought after for workshops and Demonstrations Internationally (in person) as well as online.
He has work in many private and public collections around the globe and has been a judge for many international competitions, including President of the jury (2022) for Marche d’Aqua, Italy, John Constable Prize in Lima, Peru, the Abu Rawash Prize, Egypt, IMWA competitions, China, as well as numerous other International watercolour competitions.
My work explores Liminal spaces. A liminal space is a threshold or transitional space, where the usual boundaries or limitations of everyday life are blurred or temporarily suspended. It is a place where one experiences a sense of ambiguity, disorientation, and even confusion.
The term "liminal" comes from the Latin word "limen," which means "threshold." Examples of liminal spaces include doorways, hallways, airports, train stations, bridges, and other places that mark a transition from one place or state to another.
In a liminal space, one may feel a sense of heightened awareness or perception, as the usual rules and expectations of the environment are temporarily lifted. Liminal spaces are often associated with rites of passage, such as initiations, weddings, funerals, and other rituals that mark a significant change in one's life.
Liminal spaces can be both exciting and unsettling, as they represent a time of uncertainty and potential transformation. They can be seen as places of possibility, where new ideas and experiences can emerge, but also as places of danger and vulnerability, where one may feel lost or disoriented.
As a hyper-realist painter, I am fascinated by the theme of liminal spaces, which represent thresholds or transitional spaces where the boundaries and limitations of everyday life are blurred or suspended. My paintings explore the potential of hyper-realism to create a sense of heightened awareness and perception in these spaces.
Through my work, I aim to capture the minute details and nuances of liminal spaces, such as doorways, hallways, and other transitional areas, in order to create a sense of realism that is almost tangible. By meticulously rendering every surface, texture, and detail, I aim to create a sense of presence that invites the viewer to step into the space and explore it for themselves.
In my paintings, I often use lighting and perspective to create a sense of depth and dimensionality, emphasizing the boundaries and edges of the space. By playing with light and shadow, I aim to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that invites the viewer to contemplate the potential for transformation and growth.
I am interested in creating spaces that are in between, where one can experience a sense of disorientation and disconnection from the familiar. By using hyper-realism to capture the subtle nuances of these spaces, I aim to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that invites the viewer to fill in the gaps with their own perceptions and experiences.
Ultimately, my paintings are an invitation to explore the potential of liminal spaces through hyper-realism, to embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty of transition, and to contemplate the potential for transformation and growth.
To fully honour my topics, I employ fine detail in my work and have found this has become an increasing fascination for me. Watercolour helps me to develop that crisp, sharp, calligraphic quality that I enjoy using which is perfect for describing the transient nature of my subject matter.
