bio
Philip describes his work as a step towards abstraction. It is primarily the exploration of light and the relationship of colour, where he at first captures his images with a camera and then translates them into a painted format. He is interested in the concept of capturing “the moment”, a millisecond in time when everything lines up perfectly. His paintings seek to explore and demonstrate this, rather like a wonderfully composed climax of a symphony, a perfect marriage. His paintings also give us a glimpse in time where form, light and colour come together in all their complexity.
Philip has a deep appreciation and love for the power and science of colour. Careful tonal shifts and subtlety characterize his work and the blurred image enabled by the camera lens creates new but familiar understandings of form and the relationship between people and place.
He is fascinated with the common notion that everything is random when there can be no question that there is design in everything. His is a philosophy of harmony, where even in the grit and grime of a city there is immense beauty to be discovered. A beauty that lies between the imperceptible and the unknown.
Philip currently lives and paints in Cape Town, South Africa. He is married and has two children and a dog.
Born 1968 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
1974 - 1986
Rhodes Estate Prep School, Matopes, Zimbabwe
St Andrews College, Grahamstown, South Africa
1987 - 1990
Diploma in Graphic Fine Art (Printing, Stained Glass and Photography) from Port Elizabeth Technikon (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University)
1991 - 1994
Travels Europe while developing his talent. Produces approximately 500 portaits in pastel and charcoal, painted 8 murals and completes around 200 watercolour / pen and ink drawings.
1995 - 2001
Executes murals and ceiling paintings in various homes and corporate spaces.
Years distinguished by extensive exploration of other creative aspects of painting.
2002
A new style in his work sees abstraction taking the focus, an offshoot of previous discoveries.
Teaches foundational drawing skills to adults.
2003
This Thing of Light - first solo exhibition at the Association of Visual Arts, Cape Town
2004
Identity - group exhibition of South African artists Fortis Circustheater, Scheveningen, Holland
Glow - solo exhibition at Obert Contemporary, Johannesburg
2005
Solo exhibition at the Association of Visual Arts, Cape Town
2006
De Light - solo exhibition at Obert Contemporary, Johannesburg
2008
Vapor - solo exhibition at Obert Contemporary, Johannesburg
Luminosity - solo exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town
2009
Boréal Publishers use “Passing” for a book cover by Dany Laferrière, L`Enigme du Retour.
Art That Inspires - 10-20 Anniversary - group exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
Group exhibition at Hespe Gallery, San Franciso, USA.
2010
Light Train - solo exhibition at Obert Contemproary, Johannesburg.
2011
Persona - group exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
Group exhibition at Hespe Gallery, San Francisco, USA.
The Homestead Charity Art Auction at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
Boréal Publishers print a second ‘compact’ version of the Dany Laferrière novel, L`Enigme du Retour.
2012
-scape - group exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
2013
Allusions of Abstraction - group exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
the colour of light - solo exhibition at Johans Borman Fine Art, Cape Town.
2014
Summer Salon Show - group exhibition at Rarity Gallery, Mykonos Greece.
Winter Exhibition - group exhibition at Everard Read, Cape Town.
2015
Summer in the City - group exhibition at Everard Read, Cape Town.
the anatomy of colour - first solo (sell out) exhibition at Everard Read, Cape Town.
2016
Solo studios - group show at The Gallery, Riebeek Kasteel
Reality Check - group show at Everard Read, Cape Town
2017
Group exhibition - Summer Exhibition, Everard Read London
Group exhibition - @ CIRCA Winter collection, Cape Town
Solo studios - group show at The Gallery, Riebeek Kasteel
still motion - second solo exhibition at Everard Read, Cape Town
2018
still motion II - solo exhibition at Everard Read, London
28th Février Singapore - first solo exhibition
2019
solo studios - group show at The Gallery, Riebeek Kasteel
between broadway and 42nd - third solo exhibition at Everard Read, Cape Town
2020
intersections - first solo exhibition at Galerie LeRoyer, Montreal, Canada
2021
slowing a split second - second solo show at Everard Read, London
2022
investec cape town art fair - with Everard Read, Cape Town
miami art fair - with Galerie Le Royer
summer group show - Everard Read, Cape Town
2023
african american museum, dallas - if you look hard enough, you can see our future
urban glory - solo exhibition with Bugno Gallery, Venice, Italy
Collections
Bowman Gilfillan, Johannesburg
Nandos, London