Blog Post

A Toast to Hyperrealism

Kate Downes • Nov 26, 2019

New release from Colin Wilson

Colin Wilson has been with Watson Gallery Edinburgh since we opened our doors a year ago … and if we were going to toast to our anniversary, it would be with one of his incredible works.

Hyperrealism has been seeing a comeback in recent years, which pushes strongly against the outdated notion that the invention of photography put an end to its appeal. Some say it is due to the pleasure we take in seeing something that we know is technically difficult– or perhaps it is more to do with the pure enjoyment of a magic trick, as the artist himself has commented.

Despite the increasing popularity of realist and hyperrealist art, Colin is ahead of many others in this field. He uses realism to bring in a classical element to his still lifes of wine, whisky and gin – at the same time, his contemporary styling shines through in beautiful contrast to the traditional technique.

The technique itself, as we often find our visitors exclaiming, is something that must be seen to be believed. It’s only when you get a few inches away from the painting that you can detect the tiny brushstrokes, confirming that, no, this is not a photograph… (it's a magic trick!)

We have been especially excited to see Colin’s recent foray into something that shows off his unbelievable skill: still life in motion. These pieces, capturing the moment in which a drink is poured into its glass, include all the elements for which Colin is already known, while adding the mesmerising image of light caught in the flowing liquid.

Colin's newest piece, “Poetry in Motion”, features Edinburgh whisky being poured into a glass set on a pile of books, including a Scottish poetry volume.

This is something to appreciate for all those who love local Edinburgh contemporary art (and local Edinburgh whisky) although very soon, Colin’s work will be available further afield...

A gallery in London will be representing Colin’s work, which will soon be available to a wider base of collectors in the South. We are very excited about what this means for Colin, who more than deserves to take this next step into success.

We will continue to carry Colin’s work at Watson, where it has been a reliable favourite among our local collectors, although of course it will now be in higher demand!

Please stop by to see these works in person or contact the gallery if you would like to reserve a piece for viewing.

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