artists register

Peter Cooper ua


Brussels in the rain.

Brussels in the rain.

A wet day in Brussels. A lot of traditional buildings have been demolished in favour of a more modern style but many Belgians believe this is counter productive.

Original
Watercolour on Paper
29cm x 38cm

Statement

I paint Architecture as realism. I love the contrast of architectural styles in pretty-well any British High Street built before1950. There are different periods, colours, textures and histories all cobbled together in a glorious muddle with no two fascias similar. They make a patchwork of design, or singly they stand prominently notable, in bold contrast to their surroundings. To me they suggest the need for the original (possibly Victorian businessman) owner to be different, to stand out, to make a bit  of a presence above the rest. I feel the Buildings form a kind of parade of personalities, at times grandiose, sturdy, pedantic, proud or melodramatic.