Agyness Deyn by Paul Normansell

Paul Normansell has long been on the lips of those who like to mix their arty-talk with their party-walk.

He was recently chosen as one of the few selected artists to be exhibited at On|Off during London Fashion Week. So during On|Off’s 10th anniversary party, whilst people elbow-barged for a refill at the bar, the ones in the know were oohing and aahing at the collection of colourful artwork displayed downstairs – a highlight of the night for many, not just me. His work received a huge amount of attention for his dotted depictions of Kate Moss, but he has a huge amount of other pieces, all varied and vibrant, born from an interest between art and music. Now I haven’t ever heard Ms Moss sing, but I’m sure if she did, praises for Normansell’s work would be top of her charts.

My personal favourites are the non-celebrity pieces, depicting figures who could have also easily been famous but are not. They are interesting in their ability to be just as, if not more, entrancing in their anonymity, questioning what our obsession with celebrity is really about.

Paul’s work is painted freehand with a brush and the results are definitely something to raise a glass or two to…

Chic Today caught up with Paul Normansell to prove we’re not just good for a party. We bring you, like, real art stuff too:

Your work’s foundation ‘originates from the relationship between art and music’. If your art had to be turned into music, what would it sound like?
It would be eclectic as there is not one specific sound that would relate to all my works as my work consists of very different styles but they all have the same technique. My figurative work would be bold and lively, my portraits would be more like an ambient tune where there is lots going on but the overall sound is very subtle and the abstract work would be like a dance track where the sounds are looped.

Your abstract paintings are based on extensive colour studies. Is colour important in other aspects of your life (fashion, home etc)? Yes, I am very influenced by colour and how colours work together and feel this is my main skill as an artist so I am always effected by how the use of colour and how they work together in my everyday life.

Has Kate Moss commented on your paintings of her?
No, I am not sure if she has seen them but would love to know what she thought of them.

Would you like one of your subjects to actually sit for you, or is the illusion and freedom afforded by using media images an essential part of your work? It would be impossible as the paintings take weeks and it is easier to work from a photograph as it enables me to section the image into different colours, tones and shapes.

It’s exciting to see such artistic talent being displayed at Fashion Week to highlight the relationship between the two. Would you like to see more official collaboration between the two industries?
Yes, as it is the main focus of both more portrait and figurative work.

Do you have a favourite fashion designer? Not one specific designer as I am more influenced by style, colour and individuality rather than who it is by.

Tell us about your current Rimmel commission…
It will be a Rimmel image of Kate Moss that has never been used for one of their campaigns. It is for their Head Office. The image will similar to the portrait Kate 7 but with a slightly different pose.

Please go to www.agallery.co.uk to purchase his works.

Images courtesy of Paul Normansell