Paul Doran’s paintings have an awkward allure. They seem at once rigorous and uncomfortable. Looking at them brings to mind early 20th century Paris, garrets, and a grubby struggle for authenticity. Their purposeful physicality is complemented by a palette, with its creams and pinks, which evokes Giotto. It is an interesting mix.
The space created in these works is also reminiscent of early renaissance painting. Framing elements have something of the stage set about them and slightly off-kilter forms sit at odd angles to one another.
It is clear that Doran’s pictures are concerned with both the act and history of painting.
