Steven Cox

Through horizontal and vertical repetition of color, pattern and layering Steven Cox explores the possibilities of the linear stripe as visual motif. Each painting owns similar processes and techniques, though their consciously restricted palette has encouraged the artist to deconstruct and reconstruct the canvas plane into dazzling visual depth and texture. The paintings nod to poetic structures like stanzas, as flat monochrome planes are aligned alongside spray painted gestural marks and densely layered surfaces of oil and negative space. Cox pays homage to his Scottish roots through his physical use of Hessian Jute for material as well as with painting tiltles: Cutty Sark, Ay Waukin and Rantin’ Rovin, Rantin Rovin that reference Scottish poet, Robert Burns. The beautiful, battered and wise surfaces of these delicately labored paintings share a kinship with the emotional polarities of Burn’s classic writings.

Cox’s recent exhibitions include the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts, 99 Hanover Projects, The Old Ambulance Depot, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Cox has curated, written and conducted interviews with many leading contemporary artists under the moniker Hunted Projects.

Courtesy of Halsey McKay Gallery