Mooch artist of the year announcement
Congratulations go to Adam Hayley (24) from Stockport who has won the Mooch artist of the year competition with his working class stereotype portraits. Adam now has his own exhibition previewing on the 27th November at the mooch art gallery in Manchester.
Adam was selected by a panel of judges including Wayne Hemingway and Peter Saville as the artist most likely to go on to have a successful career. All the judges appreciated the talent that Adam has, each portrait showing a variety of emotions and telling a different story.
So are portraits coming back? Through the years, they have typically been painted of monarchs or heads of state. Adams paintings are frank and honest portrayals of his granddad; his next-door neighbour and other people who he believes will show their character on the canvas.
Each portrait takes an average of 40hours to paint and are particularly eye catching because of their size and the detail within them. People often comment on the exaggerated features, which isn’t something that Adam intends to do.
Adam says “I’m reflecting a culture that I belong to which is working class masculinity and male culture, and attempting to celebrate that culture”. “I guess I bring out the character in the portraits because it helps to emphasize the stereotype. “
Being an only child Adam says that’s why he spent most of his time drawing and from a very early age found that he had a natural ability for art. His 1st drawing was of a helicopter in felt tip when he was 1 and a half. Since then he has continued his art studies receiving a 1st class degree from Salford last year. He is now doing his PGCE and aims to be an Art teacher at secondary school.
Adam is also currently painting a portrait of the XFM DJ Clint Boon who is also an admirer of his work. Wayne Hemingway has also agreed to have his portrait done by Adam. The portrait of Clint is due to be completed before Christmas and along with the Exhibition will raise Adams profile as the great portrait artist he has already proved to be.
If you like to be invited to the preview night to celebrate Adams success please joins the Mooch art mailing list by going onto www.mooch-art.co.uk or e-mail info@mooch-art.co.uk.
Also see the article in citylife.
http://www.citylife.co.uk/arts/news/11807_mooch_gallery_toasts_artist_of_the_year