Peter Davies’ work of the last 25 years is driven by a desire to constantly learn through making. In order to establish further possibilities for himself as to what abstract painting can be. He has made various series of work, each being informed by or contradicting the previous. Whatever he is making at a given time couldn’t exist without what went before. His desire to learn has led to repetition, experimentation, self reference and embracing different techniques and processes. He is trying to make paintings that can’t be “said” as in that their need or urge to exist aspires beyond being able to just be described in words. His aims and objectives, motivation and ambition has changed in this period. Having previously made spectacular neo conceptual work, he is now making intuitive paintings which are more humble and with greater humility. All his work shares a celebration of failed systems, sensitivity and touch. As the world changes and his perception of it does too, what he thinks is appropriate for him to make as a painter has shifted. His most recent works are modest with an honesty in their subjectivity. Whilst at heart there is criticality, his priority is that they should invite an emotional response.
Peter Davies (b. 1970, Edinburgh, UK) lives and works in London, UK