A dialogue has gradually developed in my work fueled by cultural and social questionings and discoveries. Influences are drawn from a combination of ongoing personal experiences that feed into the themes of my work, and connections that are made between them.
Firstly, experiencing life abroad, specifically in Pakistan, has continually brought forth comparisons made to my own Scottish way of living. The rich, decorative history of the country’s Persian empirical roots has influenced in an aesthetic and artistic sense whilst the overtly Islamic society and way of life has prompted reflection in a sociological and moral sense.
Secondly, archetypal religious iconography is referred to specifically in the way that it styles the beings it depicts. Whilst belief systems differ, often the visual language of composition, pattern, symbols, use of light etc. all serve the purpose of elevating, revering and/or attributing divinity to the subject (whether the subject be included or not). Overtly religious societies display such visuals throughout their lands yet our oppositely secular society appears not to fall short of such imagery itself. Densely media-clad pages, billboards and screens seem to project surprisingly similar themes and styles related to consumer goods, celebrity stars and cinema superheroes.
Thirdly, discussion of an apparently inherent nature in mankind: the capacity to aspire to perfection, to strive to ‘win’, to be the best. The revered ones that achieve the heights of the pages, billboards and screens may display these drives, but the rest of us surely do not lack them. Neither, it seems, are these yearnings exclusive to adulthood. In weekly community work with children from Dundee housing estates, desires to be crowned King of the Castle, fly like Superman or beat the bully in the after school punch-up are observed and remind of my own childhood memories, and also that such desires are intrinsic to being human.
Thus, direct links are purposely made between these combination of themes that are already present, but less obviously connected, in our visual world of mass media. It
is by these means that my paintings seek to provide visual discourse around the aspirations of normal, everyday humanity to something more, something perfect.
Peter Mansfield graduated in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2008 and currently lives and works in Dundee, Scotland. He has travelled and worked in Pakistan, Spain, Mexico and France and his current art practice has been born out of experiences of the last five year's trips to Pakistan.
Current work was born out of the last few years experiences of trips to and living in Pakistan. Return to the UK always induced comparison between the cultures.
Inspiration is mainly drawn from the historic riches of Persian miniature painting, and the Western pop conception of the 'Superhero'. Alongside these considerations, man's competitive desire to excel above the rest and paradoxically the tendency to elevate others above himself are also discussed.
The wealth of textile, interior and architectural design of the East,and contemporary visual design of the West are further referred to in the use of pattern and geometry. This acknowledges historical links and developments that have occurred through trade and settlement, as well as war and conquests.
Peter Mansfield currently lives and works as an artist in Dundee, Scotland. Through an interest in and love of differing cultures andsocieties, he has travelled and worked primarily in Pakistan, but also Spain and Mexico, where differences (and similarities) in the way people look, live, eat, work, speak and express their beliefs has inspired much of his thinking and work.
Firstly, experiencing life abroad, specifically in Pakistan, has continually brought forth comparisons made to my own Scottish way of living. The rich, decorative history of the country’s Persian empirical roots has influenced in an aesthetic and artistic sense whilst the overtly Islamic society and way of life has prompted reflection in a sociological and moral sense.
Secondly, archetypal religious iconography is referred to specifically in the way that it styles the beings it depicts. Whilst belief systems differ, often the visual language of composition, pattern, symbols, use of light etc. all serve the purpose of elevating, revering and/or attributing divinity to the subject (whether the subject be included or not). Overtly religious societies display such visuals throughout their lands yet our oppositely secular society appears not to fall short of such imagery itself. Densely media-clad pages, billboards and screens seem to project surprisingly similar themes and styles related to consumer goods, celebrity stars and cinema superheroes.
Thirdly, discussion of an apparently inherent nature in mankind: the capacity to aspire to perfection, to strive to ‘win’, to be the best. The revered ones that achieve the heights of the pages, billboards and screens may display these drives, but the rest of us surely do not lack them. Neither, it seems, are these yearnings exclusive to adulthood. In weekly community work with children from Dundee housing estates, desires to be crowned King of the Castle, fly like Superman or beat the bully in the after school punch-up are observed and remind of my own childhood memories, and also that such desires are intrinsic to being human.
Thus, direct links are purposely made between these combination of themes that are already present, but less obviously connected, in our visual world of mass media. It
is by these means that my paintings seek to provide visual discourse around the aspirations of normal, everyday humanity to something more, something perfect.
Peter Mansfield graduated in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in 2008 and currently lives and works in Dundee, Scotland. He has travelled and worked in Pakistan, Spain, Mexico and France and his current art practice has been born out of experiences of the last five year's trips to Pakistan.
Current work was born out of the last few years experiences of trips to and living in Pakistan. Return to the UK always induced comparison between the cultures.
Inspiration is mainly drawn from the historic riches of Persian miniature painting, and the Western pop conception of the 'Superhero'. Alongside these considerations, man's competitive desire to excel above the rest and paradoxically the tendency to elevate others above himself are also discussed.
The wealth of textile, interior and architectural design of the East,and contemporary visual design of the West are further referred to in the use of pattern and geometry. This acknowledges historical links and developments that have occurred through trade and settlement, as well as war and conquests.
Peter Mansfield currently lives and works as an artist in Dundee, Scotland. Through an interest in and love of differing cultures andsocieties, he has travelled and worked primarily in Pakistan, but also Spain and Mexico, where differences (and similarities) in the way people look, live, eat, work, speak and express their beliefs has inspired much of his thinking and work.
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