Dan Howard- Birt is a painter and curator whose work highlights the vulnerability of life. By recording this he immortalizes the element of life over which we have the least control. He seems to enjoy earthy autumnal colours in his paintings which evoke feelings of warmth and lust. His use of line contrasts from strong geometric shapes and patterns to a more blurred and textured style.

I love his oranges series as the layers of colours and patterns intertwine so many different styles harmoniously. It has inspired me to build up my own paintings with different styles such as my cat’s cradle pieces.

The focus on fruit in this almost two-dimensional composition reminds me of the still life pieces by artists such as Manet and Cezanne however not in a post-impressionist style. His work combines and embraces many different art periods bringing a new perception and techniques to the classics. By doing this he opens our imagination to new ways of seeing life in the present and the past. We look back at old paintings with fresh eyes as he takes a modern approach to classic still lifes.