Alan Colombage
The Artist Alan Colombage has embarked on an exceptional journey of discovery and research with his dynamic and powerfully expressive personality, not only in the fashion world, where he was internationally appreciated, but also in the contemporary art field. Colombage’s works are an explosion of passion conceived from the depth of his poetic creative impulse. But what’s more his creations are the result of the experiences, the emotions and the memories that he absorbed, in contact with the most famous fashion designers, artists and photographers. After joining Gavin Robinson’s model agency, he started to travel the world: from Hamburg to Milan and from Cape Town to Sydney. He worked for Condé Nast, Burberry, Topman, Jaeger, Crombie, Harrods, Austin Reed, among others. He also starred in the TV series Highlander and the collaboration with the Kapoor Family in other TV series made him to understand the complex and intricate world of Show Business. Alan has demonstrated an eclectic array of talent and creativity. Albeit, the inevitable path towards oil painting as the most direct and evocative means of communication is not to be taken lightly. Alan’s experience as a survivor of “The Marchioness” boat accident on the river Thames had a deep impact on him, leading to a completely new perspective on the value and importance of life and causing indelible marks on his sensitive and perceptive soul. The extraordinary events he has lived, combine with the gift of artistic vision and unique creativity, have shaped him into the polyhedric artist he is today.
The Critique Colombage’s black and white artworks are extremely eyecatching. The lack of tints evokes a forceful recall to the most basic and primitive sensations and attracts us with increasing intensity. The artist’s use of shades of grey expresses energy and movement, emphasizing dynamic lines. These artworks are painted to create an optical explosion of curved lines, sharp movements and light. The contrasts between the opposite colours accentuate the brushstrokes by controlling their direction, size and rhythm. The strength of the artworks emerges from each brushstroke of colour and keeps the spectator enchained in the vortex of shades. The generous use of matter reflects Colombage’s necessity to investigate the forcefulness of painting as a vehicle to communicate his deepest emotions. Even the portraits become unique reflections of the artist’s feelings, in which the viewer finds the nuances of his subconscious. We are thrown into a parallel dimension made of a myriad of contrasting emotions albeit in a dualistic scenery. This polarity reflects our struggle to find a balance between rational thoughts and irrational emotion.
Timothy Warrington International Confederation of Art Critics
Alan Colombage