Melancholy has a bodily quality in Gavin Dobson's painting — it shows in how the figure holds itself, in the weight of a shoulder, the direction of a gaze. Big...
Melancholy has a bodily quality in Gavin Dobson's painting — it shows in how the figure holds itself, in the weight of a shoulder, the direction of a gaze. Big Nips takes a plainly physical observation and combines it with an emotional state, the title doing the characteristic Dobson thing of being simultaneously frank about the body and tender about what the body is feeling.
His figurative work explores the emotional highs and lows of queer experience with the same painterly approach regardless of the emotional register — the oil is loose and expressive whether the subject is desire or its aftermath. Oil on board, wooden tray frame, signed. £450.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Gavin Dobson
Gavin Dobson is a painter based in London, known for his vibrant and expressive artworks that often explore themes of identity, sexuality, and personal experience.
His work is characterised by bold colours, dynamic compositions, and a mix of abstract and figurative elements. Gavin frequently draws inspiration from his own life and the broader LGBTQ+ community, creating pieces that resonate with themes of love, desire, and the human form.
Gavin’s work has been exhibited in various galleries across the UK and internationally. Selected exhibitions include at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Drewatts Auction Houses, ING Discerning Eye at The Mall Galleries, Film Four at Somerset House, and A celebration of Contemporary British Painting at The Bermondey Project Space.
In 2024, Gavin was handpicked by Brookfield Properties as their Pride Artist of the Year.