Ian MacLeod’s beautiful abstract paintings hint at his background in graphic design yet are very much rooted in an aesthetic that goes back to the Abstract Expressionists of the 1950’s and 60’s. They are physical compositions made, created, with a wide variety of materials including acrylic, recycled paper, cardboard, latex, tape as well as plastic drop sheets and bags.
His rich pictures are not derived from the physical world rather they exist independently of visual references, are pure abstract paintings that seek to give us peace, energy and a space to reflect within.
MacLeod was an illustrator, graphic designer and art director for over 30 years before devoting his time to painting these wonderful pictures and he is now back to where he wanted to be when he started in art school in the 1970’s. Waking up and painting. How I wish for such freedom. Here’s what he has to say about his work:
I’m intrigued by patterns found in nature. I paint in an intuitive manner with sweeping gestures of opaque and transparent layers of paint to create surface texture and depth – focused on pure abstraction. Like a spiritual journey my work emerges from my consciousness. As in meditation, I am present in the moment.