The houseplant as the silent company of the emotionally low — it is there, it doesn't require anything, and it doesn't judge. Gavin Dobson's figurative paintings of men in difficult...
The houseplant as the silent company of the emotionally low — it is there, it doesn't require anything, and it doesn't judge. Gavin Dobson's figurative paintings of men in difficult or complicated emotional states are among the most direct expressions of his practice's central interest: what it means to be a gay man navigating the emotional range that queer life in Britain encompasses.
The woeful figure by the plant is rendered in contrasting and complementary colours rather than the muted palette that the emotional subject might suggest — Dobson's instinct is towards vivid paint even when the content is subdued, the colour doing its own work alongside the figuration. 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.