FRED COPPIN PURSUIT
info@candidastevens.com www.candidastevens.com @candida_stevens
With an ever-present sense of appreciation Fred Coppin set about to produce this latest body of work. Contemplating the ‘tools’ that we use to support life, things we can absorb ourselves with, be rewarded by, use as markers to navigate our lives. From coffee, to chess, to dinner parties, to pets, to hiking, to therapy, to sport and many more.
Some paintings suggest solitude, some bravery, some just sheer frivolity. Some like Stand Up (referencing comedians) and Tattoo walk the line between joy/pleasure and horror/pain. The coffee machine ‘Flat White’ hovers between futuristic possibility and contemporary humour, a machine of such complexity and so many parts, sufficient to absorb even the most ardent of coffee obsessives. Others like Dinner Guests and Pets have what Coppin refers to as a ‘wonky energy’ and fun. As he puts it, he is messing with peoples’ obsessions. The works are both a humorous compilation of observations and a lens of self-awareness through which we can view ourselves.
Supermoon and Halfway House feel reflective and solitary, conjuring a feeling of calm through a clever use of darkness. As is often the case a suggestion of travel and holiday is seen in works like Horizontal and Girl in Cabin. After a residency in Florence staying in an old painters cottage Fred found that it was the contents of this charming cottage, untouched by time, that left the greatest mark on him inspiring the works Uffizi and Germano’s Books. His sea of faces at Wimbledon in Spectators is filled with unique expressions, individuals sharing a moment of fun or intensity. No single face stands out, he has achieved a harmoniousness to this group despite all the individuality, no mean feat.
This group of paintings has a painterly freedom that demonstrates Fred’s growing maturity and confidence as an artist. The variety of mark making lends a depth to the work. The human figure appears in nearly every piece, another sign of growing courage. He has found a way of incorporating people in an authentic way.
I feel this series will mark a moment of significance in his career where he develops his use of expression and consolidates aspects of his unique style.
Candida Stevens, 2024.
Halfway House, 2024
Oil on linen
135 x 185 cm
Supermoon, 2024 Oil on linen
115 x 145 cm
Spectators, 2024 Oil on linen
100 x 150 cm
Dinner Guests, 2024
Oil on linen
105 x 130 cm
Pets, 2024 Oil on linen
125 x 95cm
Shade, 2024
Oil on linen
120 x 95 cm
Uffizi, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
60 x 100 cm
Chess Players, 2024
Oil on linen
90 x 105 cm
Caballo, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
60 x 90 cm
The Therapist, 2024
Oil on linen
80 x 80 cm
Horizontal, 2024 Oil on linen 85 x 65 cm
Stand-Up, 2024
Oil on linen
95 x 65 cm
Places To Be, 2024
Oil on linen
80 x 70 cm
Palazzo, 2024
Oil on panel
90 x 60 cm
Flat White, 2024
Oil on linen
85 x 65 cm
TV On. Clothes Off, 2024
Oil on linen
80 x 70 cm
Books, 2024
Germano’s
Oil on linen
80 x 55 cm
Budgies (II), 2024
Oil on linen on panel
61 x 61 cm
Window Shopping, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
60 x 50 cm
Pink, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
50 x 50 cm
Girl In Cabin, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
50 x 50 cm
Smoker and Pear, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
40 x 30 cm
Captain Bullshit, 2024 Oil on linen on panel
45 x 60 cm
Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, Spades 2024
Oil on linen on panel
40 x 30 cm
Ace, 2024 Oil on linen on panel
30 x 30 cm
Hand to Sun, 2024 Oil on linen on panel
30 x 30 cm
Neighbourhood, 2024
Oil on linen on panel
40 x 30 cm
Education:
2009 – 2011 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Oxford Brookes
Selected Exhibitions
2024
- Pursuit, Candida Stevens Gallery
- London Art Fair - Candida Stevens Gallery
2023
- A Well-Constructed Treehouse, Candida Stevens Gallery, London
- London Art Fair - Candida Stevens Gallery
2022
- ‘Light Speed’ solo show - Candida Stevens Gallery, Cromwell Place, London
- London Art Fair - Candida Stevens Gallery
2021
- 'Pressing Matters' group show, curated by Pavement Licker
- 'Thinking Out Loud' solo show presented by Paul Smith
- '1 Large: 2 small' group show, Candida Stevens Gallery
- London Art Fair - Candida Stevens Gallery
2020
- 'Towards The Light' solo show - Candida Stevens Gallery
- 'Isolated Observations' group show - Candida Stevens Gallery
2019
- Arts Depot Open, London
- 'A Very Small Cactus & Other Studies' solo show - Islington, London
- 'Pavement Licker' group show - Portland Place, London
2018
- Royal Institute Of Oil Painters Exhibition Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries, London
- 'Angles & Optimism' solo show - Shoreditch London (hosted by Creative Debuts)
Awards:
- Artist Magazine Award - Royal Institute Of Oil Painters
Coverage: https://london.lecool.com/inspirations/fred-coppin-2/ https://www.pavementlicker.com/projects-content/helium-london-x-pavement-licker https://www.huckmag.com/art-and-culture/art-2/pavement-lickers-concrete-art-exhibition/ https://www.alexorso.com/blogs/news/open-canvas-fred-coppin https://cenemagazine.co.uk/news/2021/3/25/pavement-licker-curates-unique-vinyl-musicand-art-exhibition
https://www.nrmagazine.com/news/2021/3/29/helium-london-amp-matchesfashion-presentpressing-matters-curated-by-pavement-licker-35ark
https://www.nme.com/news/music/arctic-monkeys-coldplay-the-clash-and-more-donaterare-vinyl-to-charity-exhibition-2913149
https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/88n485/whats-in-fashion-weekly-round-up-charlesjeffrey-dover-street-market
https://organthing.com/2018/08/09/organ-thing-fred-coppins-painterly-optimism-downrivington-street/
Published in Sept 2024 by Candida Stevens Gallery on the occasion of an exhibition featuring the work of Fred Coppin.
Catalogue ©Candida Stevens Gallery
Photography ©Dan Stevens
Text © the authors
All rights reserved
