Patrick Hughes – Loving


Image – courtesy of Flowers, London / New York

About the artist

Patrick Hughes made his first three dimensional relief painting in 1964 – his intention to do the opposite of what was done. Fifty years on, he is still doing so.

Exhibiting with Angela Flowers Gallery since its inception in 1970, Hughes’ painted reliefs constantly baffle his audience, demonstrating how deceptive appearances can be, As we walk towards the seemingly flat paintings they loom out at us, creating a disorientating, ‘moving’ experience. The preconceived assumptions of eye and brain are challenged, inevitably raising important questions about our perception and the subconscious. 

His witty illusions are not meant to confuse us (although they do), but aim to clarify our relation to reality. Instead of describing paradox, we can now experience it interactively; for his work is more to do with us, the way we think and the way we perceive.