Meet the Artist: Alec Cumming
In Holborn, you’ll find Alec Cumming’s playful and textured, East meets West paintings. Alec works globally having spent time in places such as India, Sri Lanka and California. From his latest trip to Barbados (pictured below) you can really see the colours, tones and character of the landscape reflected in his work. His practice, oil on canvas, is traditional in medium but the images that jump in and around the canvas are vibrant and playful, creating a dialogue by mixing eastern and western influences. Alec currently lives and works in Norwich, UK.
From your recent trip to Barbados, what inspiration will you take to influence your new work?
It’s always really interesting for me to encounter new places. I think one of the glaring things for me that really shot at me from Barbados is the lusciousness of colour created by the clarity of the light there, the greens are greener, the blues are bluer! But a lot of the things that inspire me in my work are more nuanced than a physical sight, it could be interesting interactions with people or more physical like a piece of architecture strutting out from between the palm trees, or day to day scenes where the mind forces the eye to linger to the pace and vibrancy of life there.
Where are drawing inspiration from at the moment?
I am making new work as we speak, I’m trying to incorporate new adventures in my recent travels to Barbados and also reminiscing about old places I’ve visited. These last few years of the pandemic have given way to me looking back over old memories and photographs and think about forms that haven’t made it into my paintings previously. It’s been good… very reflective. The objects and forms that I put within my paintings are a lyrical vocabulary that I tend to pick up over years and then establish through my time painting, through observing and exploring. so I wouldn’t say that I draw inspiration from exactly one place in particular, but it is an evolving process, almost like learning a language the more you do it, the more you engage with new things or understand old things easier, you become more fluent at putting the marks down.
Where’s your studio, and why did you choose this neighbourhood?
I have my studio in the beautiful surroundings of the Norfolk Countryside. I live in Norwich but I drive out there every day with my dog Gus and there is something really great about that morning drive… getting to the studio and preparing to work. Also being out in the middle of the countryside with no distractions means I can really focus, unless Gus is in a distracting mood or has found a tennis ball!
Which book / film / album changed the way you think?
My favourite book A Suitable Boy, by Vikram Seth. It’s an epic tale that I loved. It reminds me of my time spent in India, the daily movement, visuals, the people I met and the friendships I made there.
If you were an artwork, which would you be?
Entrance for a red temple, no 1 by Alan Davie.
Get in Touch
Fill out the below and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Looking to book a group stay?
Share details about the group and we’ll be in touch ASAP!