Bright, colourful and fun – these are definitely high frequency words that you’ll hear whilst in the vicinity of Lhoutte’s work at The Westover Gallery.
Lhouette’s very unique style is packing quite a punch into areas of the commercial art world and getting him collectors and followers from all walks of life including starry celebs.
The colours and nostalgic figures from your childhood draw you into the picture and once you’re there you become aware of the many subtleties that lay under a few layers of aerosol spray. This attention grabbing technique nudges you into decoding Lhouette’s messages which seem to be hinting at the trappings and blemishes of modern society. Employing an intriguing blend of mixed media and techniques, Lhouette uses an array of vivid colours, symbols, images and text which are all vital ingredients to the exotic new flavour that he brings us.
As you might imagine, Lhouette is a young artist but he comes stocked with a wealth of experience which has broadened his perspectives and given him something to say which is surely something that all artists need?
The 29 year old was born and raised in Luton, Bedfordshire and despite being a creative student he didn’t use these skills straight away but explored the world Royal Navy style instead. Full of adventures and stories from his travels, which spanned five years and 21 countries, Lhouette returned to the UK and put aerosol can to canvas and began his next adventure.
”My practice originates from more self-taught graphic design & stencilling techniques, originally I began creating art with old mechanic aerosol paints that were given to me, scrap sheets of salvaged wooden board and a moody scanner/printer… the work was beautifully raw! Things have developed somewhat since then and I’ve adopted a much more lavish refined approach to creating my work whilst trying to retain that certain rawness in essence”.
Lhouette wasted no time harnessing that rawness and using it to forge a name for himself in the highly competitive contemporary art world. His determined ascension is all thanks to his own hard work and determination; Lhouette established himself in a high street art studio and exhibition space whilst also managing to achieve a post graduate diploma in the arts from Birkbeck College.
If that wasn’t impressive enough he then demanded the glace cherry on top with his sell out debut solo exhibition also bagging him a nomination forthe Fine Art Trade Guild’s ‘Best Up and Coming Artist’ award in 2014.
‘Best Up and Coming Artist’ is about as far as we can go when it comes to labelling Lhouette as his clear and definitive style refuses to be put into boxes or trapped by words.
“Glamour and beauty is of great interest to me as an artist. I spend much time flicking through these kinds of magazines, sourcing imagery, creating juxtaposing collages that satisfy me visually; if I had to label my style it would be called ‘POST URBAN GLAMOUR’.”
Notes:
Westover Gallery have a selection of Lhouette’s work in the gallery and on line at www.westovergallery.co.uk
For daily information check out our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/westovergallerybournemouth
Words by Elizabeth McManus
T: 01202 297682
