Local artist Darren Mundy lives in Whitley Bay not far from Newcastle. Mundy is well known for his Hilltown series focusing on cities and monuments around the UK, Tyne and Wear in particular. Originally working digitally, he's now turned to traditional methods using acrylic paint to create the textured landscapes. The colours are always vivid and contrast against dark blue skies, a trademark style of his.
Each painting captures a different story such as an older piece called 'Party at Brian's House' which shows a small hamlet of houses in the dark with one light in the furthest house drawing your eye to his house. The concepts are always simple with the same house perspective used in many of his paintings. I like his work as it has no underlying political, social or alternate meaning, his only aim is to make people smile and create scenes that viewers can relate to. That's probably why his art is so popular as the depictions of local landmarks like 'The Angel of the North' and 'Penshaw Monument' are places locals can personally relate to, providing a link between artist and viewer.
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| 'There', Giclee Print 2019 |
About two years ago I was lucky enough to get my first limited edition print of his called 'Big Moon'. I'd loved this painting as well as many others but this one captures the detail of the moon in a surrealist almost magical way. It's the type of landscape that you'll never tire of looking at there's so much to see yet so simple in its composition. Mundy uses light sources very well in adding highlights to the hills and houses which helps elevates the image, bringing the houses into focus against the luminous starry night sky. Last Christmas I asked for 'Sledging tomorrow', another of Mundy's night scenes with wintery slant including Christmas trees and a solitary house on a hill. His paintings have such a calming atmosphere which I feel radiates to the viewer; with the warm colours and smooth lines, it provokes such positivity and inspires me to create work with a similar intent I imagine him to have. At Christmas fayres and events I've met Darren and loved his enthusiasm for creating, each piece is an insight into his inner imagination. I've enjoyed following him on Instagram and going to exhibitions of his for the past years and it's been interesting seeing his progression and the process he's taken to become the established artist he is today.
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| 'Under the Sea' Elmer |
This Summer Mundy partook in the Great North Elmer Trail in which artists and school decorate the popular storybook character 'Elmer the Elephant' to raise money for the St Oswald's Hospice. Mundy painted two elephants; one portrayed the effects of dementia through stripes of colours connoting the fade of memories over time, the other was entitled 'Under the Sea'. This Elmer was located near the Millenium Bridge in the Quayside, Newcastle. It represents 'The global threat of rising sea levels and global warming' with a positive outlook for the future portrayed in the eyes of the elephant that appear full of hope for his environment. This theme is very prominent in today's world and I feel we should be making people aware of it. Art is something that can challenge perceptions and have a strong meaning without the message being too forceful or negative. That's why I chose this theme as there are so many elements to explore and so much more we could be doing to raise awareness and make a difference. I love how he adapted his style and took advantage of the irregular shape to create a panoramic landscape.
Mundy will always be one of my favourite artists, coming from a similar area and having the same passion for imaginative landscapes. I chose Darren as one of my artists as he has made a name for himself with a recognisable style and I admire his aim to provoke happiness among viewers. I hope to continue growing my personal collection of his work over time and to keep him as a contact for future networking.
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| 'Big Moon', 'In' and 'Nightowl' |
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