Richard Bagguley

Richard was born in 1955 in Shoreham by Sea and he was educated at Reed’s School in Cobham Surrey, before studying photography at The Arts University College at Bournemouth followed by a brief spell as photographer and an illustrator for The University of Hull magazine.

From 1976 he travelled through South America Asia and Australia drawing and photographing the people returning to London in 1985 to commence mural and Trompe-l’œil work.

Richard Bagguley has set out to paint uncompromising images on canvas the antithesis to the controlled environment in which he has been working for many years. He attempts to investigate spiritual and religious juxtapositions in context with our modern world as well as other aspects of humankind, the expression “social realism” has been used to describe this style of painting.

He has painted a special collection of new works for Encounters 2020 show observing that “Painting with passion conveys a powerful image whether it is beautiful or ugly”.

TIEMPO DE LA PESTE COLLECTION: CURATORIAL NOTE

This collection of paintings by Richard Bagguley was created in Spring 2020 when the artist was in isolation in his London studio. His Tiempo de la Peste artistic journey was stimulated by an Encounters commission. Rapidly, he created a collection that embraced the current reality, as the Covid-19 virus became a reluctant pandemic.

Although created in a particular time in history, Bagguley’s new collection is replete with the artist’s hallmark oeuvre. His works are marked by three recurrent elements: fun, beauty and rich detail, which are enhanced by his superbly accomplished brushstrokes. Undoubted, being a muralist and a trompe l’oeil artist served to camouflage these three recurrent pictorial elements, like a hidden celestine in a sunset passage.

Observing Richard’s canvases in the order of their chronological creation we see traces of humour, beauty and elaborated details. These vary from subtle hints to a powerful and unapologetic expression in each version of Bagguley’s artwork.

Richard’s collection echoes how Plague Doctors of the 17th Century sought to protect themselves with plants and herbs from infection. As the collection developed, he regained his distinctive pictorial emphasis on beauty with sexy suggestions. Finally, an exotic full-fashion dame figure emerged.

Contrast and texture became apparent. By adding both, the artist seems to be seeking a sort of artifice to move away from the grim subject matter of the real pandemic 2020 to bring moments of freshness and laughter!

Miladys Parejo
Curator