Visual artist, Philip Stallard’s abstractions shimmer in a beautiful balance between vibrant naivety and careful geometric composition.

Describing himself as an “Emotional Abstractionist”, Phil Stallard dedicates himself to creating exuberantly coloured paintings with Sydney centric iconography. The theme of water has been a prominent reference point for Phil, of which he further draws upon personal memories of Sydney and the Hawkesbury. With an aptitude to push the genre of landscape painting through an interplay between abstraction and realism, Philip’s strength is found in the ability to balance spontaneous painterly marks with careful consideration for geometric compositions. There exists a playful element to each work, whether it be the strength in colour that radiates excitement or the presence of circles, hearts and numbers, which offer a sense of humanness to each piece.

Phil Stallard – Paintings

Oil on Canvas
Original Artworks

“There is a ‘total experience’ in a Stallard painting, a similar notion that no part of the painting is bland, or subordinate, or to be passed over. Stallard’s work is very painterly indeed. His oil-paint is applied with a fluid lushness, a sensuousness…”    peter pinson

”My latest abstractions are about places. I start with memory (often of the Hawkesbury River – a place I explored as a child) and the painting evolves. I paint colour fields that are inhabited with spontaneous gestures, these marks are highly personal but I also appropriate visual ideas gleaned from the graffitied walls of the inner city and construction sites of the suburbs.

I am also drawn to the emotive qualities of Sydney’s waterways – but there is always the hum of the city in the background. The paintings connect me psychologically to nature, the emotions and dialogue are intuitive and convey a sense of belonging.”

Philip Stallard’s abstractions have spanned the past 15 years; his latest work combines spontaneous action painting with the landscape. In this series, Philip has loosened up and is exploring the interplay between abstraction, landscape and urban graffiti.

The work has a colouristic rigour and excitement that engages the viewer on many levels, there are Sydney urban landscape references and he is just as comfortable with a spray can, chisel or a brush when making marks.

Philip has had successful solo exhibitions yearly over the past 20 years in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; he has also exhibited internationally and has completed many commissions.

“Stallard interprets the landscape as a fluid medium where personal references and memories are submerged to create colourist harmony. His paintings are reduced to distillations of memories. He uses motifs to signify events submerged in colour fields.”   Savah Hatzis