Ian Norris: New Works March 2013

The featured image is an evocative Oxford Rd, Manchester study from his series retracing the steps of Pierre Adolphe Valette (1876-1942) and which tells a greater story than is at first apparent. It shows Ian’s growing confidence in his progression into abstraction. Whilst a familiar enough subject matter, his heavy impasto application and distortion of linear and depth perspective,  as well as his introducing a sense of disturbance or unease, is reminiscent of the late 19th century Symbolism emerging out of the Impressionist movement that immediately pre-dated it. Both Van Gogh and Munch spring immediately to mind: this is Post-Impressionist Ian Norris in the emergence. We consider Ian to be one of the most exciting artists to emanate from the North in the post war era. It is a bold claim justified by his work. His authority of technique and application are self-evident and as his direction focuses it is an event to relish.