The Appleby Brothers

Castlegate House Gallery

20th Century British & Contemporary Art

The Appleby Brothers

May to 3rd June, 2023

Ohibiting his work at the 2014 Wimbledon College of Arts BA graduation show.

We visit many of the art school graduation shows each year, and for many years Wimbledon had been a must-see, such was the standard and innovation of the painting on show. 2014 was no exception, in fact it was arguably one of the strongest years, then or since; it was there we first viewed Louis’ painting in the flesh, with that encounter leading us to work with him in the years which were to follow.

Louis’ work is highly individual, very personal and yet never obvious. There’s narrative there, but there’s also room for your own interpretation, your own narrative, one of the reasons Louis has often been guarded about his work.

A short few years later, Louis was to embark on a Masters degree at the Royal College of Arts (RCA), London. We continued to follow him there, in fact at that point we’d been showing his work for some time. Whilst themes remained, the

uation show after two years at the RCA.

Alex is the younger brother, but for sure, no less talented. He followed Louis to Wimbledon, graduating in its final Art School year in the Summer of 2021. We viewed that graduation exhibition, the standard once again high, with Alex a standout; it was actually on that day we had the first thoughts of a joint Appleby Brothers exhibition. Since then, we’ve watched with interest as Alex has developed further; ideas moving on, palette, composition, subject, inspiration and execution all travelling forward, it’s truly exciting to have watched all of this happen.

So, here we are in 2023, those original thoughts of a joint exhibition, stood at Alex’s graduation show in 2021, now realised. Two artists relatively early in their careers, two very talented contemporary British painters at the forefront of a renaissance in British contemporary painting; we’re happy and proud to be part of that.

Steve and Christine

Opposite, clockwise from top left: This one is for You, Alex Appleby, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm; Tree Study, Louis Appleby, pencil on paper, 23 x 18cm; I’ve Had Enough of Stormy Weathers, Louis Appleby, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm; Eternal Landscape, Alex Appleby, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Alexander Appleby

‘I draw inspiration from the world of interior design and strive to create works that are in harmony with the spaces they inhabit’

Aa 27-year-old artist born and raised in Lancaster, my paintings are inspired by the rich history and natural beauty of the northern English landscape. I draw upon my experiences growing up in this region to explore the rugged terrain, subtle textures, and vivid colours that make this place so special to me. My studies at Wimbledon UAL further developed my fascination with the complexities of art and colour, inspiring me to experiment with different techniques and mediums to explore these themes.

As I continue to develop my craft, I am increasingly interested in the ways in which art can transform and enrich our surroundings. I draw inspiration from the world of interior design and strive to create works that are in harmony with the spaces they inhabit. My passion for exploring the relationship between art and interior design has led me to experiment with a range of techniques, to create works that are visually engaging whilst also often thought-provoking

Left: The Tree on the Backbench, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Above: Eternal Landscape, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Right: Dancing Sunflowers, acrylic on panel, 120 x 84cm

Above: Lancaster Meadows, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Left: The Beautiful North, acrylic on panel, 120 x 84cm

Above: Medieval Popart, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Right: Hanging onto Death, acrylic on panel, 70 x 50cm

Above: Left the Tap Running for a Thousand Years, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Left: Smoke Free Future, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Above: We have Grown Together acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Right: This one is for You, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Above: Vanishing Point, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Right: The End, acrylic on panel, 70 x 50cm

Louis Appleby

‘I’m seeing things I’ve overlooked in the past with a new sense of beauty. The complexity of colour in water droplets, reflective water & light glares’

Wth this body of work I have been exploring themes of introspection, endings and new beginnings. Thematically underpinned with concepts of urbanisation (Cobalt Red & Blues), global warming (Oil Seascape), tyranny (I’ve Had Enough of Stormy Weathers).

Aesthetically the paintings are inspired by real world locations I have visited over the last year: a week spent camping in the woodland coastline of northern Scotland (Shed the Past that No Longer Serves You), the estuary in Lancaster, Keswick in the Lake District, the coastline of Barcelona (The Sun Will Shine Again in You) and an east London flat (Cobalt Red & Blues)

With each new body of work I learn new techniques of depicting my observations

through paint, in turn this leads to a new perspective in seeing the world.

I’m seeing things I’ve overlooked in the past with a new sense of beauty. For example, the complexity of colour in water droplets, reflective water & light glares.

Born in 1991, I live and work in Lancaster. I gained a degree in Painting from Wimbledon College of Art and an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art London. My practice is deeply rooted in three generations of artists and could be described as being in my DNA.

My practice as an artist builds on traditional practices of still-life painting, underpinned by themes such as urbanisation, technology and the destruction of the planet. The paintings are highly rendered in an almost cartoon-like hyper realism style.

Right: I’ve Had Enough of Stormy Weathers, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Above: Cobalt Red Blues, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Left: 9 Billion Lane Highway, acrylic on panel, 130 x 100cm

Candle Study, pencil on paper, 23 x 18cm

Left: Ashtray Study, pencil on paper, 23 x 18cm

Above: Condensation study, Mountain, pencil on paper, 23 x 18cm

Right: Tree Study, pencil on paper, 23 x 18cm

Above: The Sun Will Shine Again in You, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Left: Derealisation, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm

Above: Shed the Past that No Longer Serves You, acrylic on panel, 50 x 40cm Right: Always Ends the Same, acrylic on panel, 130 x 100cm

Alex and Louis Appleby: three collaborations

Meme Cat, Alex and Louis Appleby, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Left: Invisible Portrait, Alex and Louis Appleby, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm

Back cover: Better Call Saul, Alex and Louis Appleby, acrylic on panel, 30 x 20cm