Peter Davis, an artist from the Manchester Region, came to Stockport Grammar School to talk about his new art series called ‘Painting the Zeitgeist’. Referring to the age we are currently living in, in his words,’ we are in the fourth industrial revolution’ one of technological innovation. He talked about his inspiration and his decision to document this in his paintings started during lockdown.
When talking about his creative process, Davis first focussed on renowned artist Edward Hopper. Praising him for his thoughtful composition in his works such as his famous ‘Nighthawks’, and his considered sketches building a painting that ‘leads the eye’ in the order to focus on different elements of his composition. He later references this in connection with his own work ‘Chin Up R Kid’, speaking of the outward vs hidden message. In Hopper’s paintings, we see the intimate scene indoors from the quiet street and, in Davis’ work, he uses the outward public message of the loud billboards and the hidden inward communication of the phone in contrast. During his talk, Davis' passion for his project was evident as he continued to divulge his methods.
His talk appealed to not only those studying art but also those studying history or geography. Davis spoke mournfully of the ‘relentless redevelopment’ of Manchester and how it was losing its character. The concept of redevelopment is reflected not only in Hopper’s ‘House by the Railroad’ but also in Davis’ work ‘Generation Regeneration’. The latter is carefully composed to show the divide between the old characterful buildings of the iconic Northern Quarter of Manchester and the scaffolding of the new modern building next to it.
Davis’ link to Hopper’s work is perfectly encapsulated in the quote he shared from Henry Miller, ‘What the painter sees he is duty bound to share. Usually, he makes us see and feel what we ignore and are immune to’. By linking Hopper’s work with his own, Davis allowed his audience to see the depth of knowledge that earned him such positions as being a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and of the Contemporary British Portrait Painters. It also allowed the audience to better understand his intentions with this project, creating an interesting and thought-provoking talk.
