Introducing… Al Saralis

We’re excited to welcome Welsh painter, Al Saralis, to the Paragon Gallery. His debut collection with us comprises two stunning oils on canvas, but we’ll see much more from Al later in the year. Click HERE to view the collection.

Born and brought up in a Welsh mining town in the Rhymney Valley, Al’s name derives from his Greek grandfather. Al graduated from Cardiff with a Degree in Fine Art and is now based in Hampshire where he paints full time.

The human figure is Al’s main source of inspiration. His paintings are composed often of a single figure stripped of any obvious narrative. His work has an enduring quality and pose many questions. Strong light and dark pools of shadows are a feature of the work. He is as interested in the way the paint is applied and the structure of the paintings, as he is in the subject matter.

Nature and its changes are a consideration in much of the work and the relationship between humans and nature is paramount. The issues regarding climate change are an underlying element within many recent paintings. One series of works is called ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’. This title comes from a poem written by Robert Frost, which explores the idea that nothing good or precious can last forever. Where nature’s changes are a metaphor for the cycles of life and death and loss of innocence. In recent portraits Al has used the idea of a breeze as a metaphor for the changes in the climate that we are now experiencing.

“I regard myself as a figurative painter but not a realist painter. The realism that I am interested in is the emotional connection made when making or looking at a painting. My work has been described as being able to conjure a feeling of thoughtful introspection. I use a restricted number of models to try and achieve my aim, which is to create something that is beautiful as well as interesting, contemporary as well as classical; something timeless”.

Al’s work is in collections and galleries both in the UK and abroad.