Using stencilling as a basis for an exploration of the landscape, my work is a study of form, structure, light and colour.
My stencilling work began with an exploration of vacant urban space; particularly empty industrial buildings around central Scotland, full of grime and metal, and stories, looking to address the decay of once seemingly irreplaceable and indestructible cornerstones of the urban community. It reflected nature’s reclamation of these spaces as industry became service, with an emphasis on graffiti and a nod to the lawlessness within these empty shells.
Having renewed my appreciation for and relationship with the stunning natural Scottish landscape over recent years, my work has also been gradually redirected towards the mountains, valleys and beautiful terrain of the north and west. I am exploring the relationship between synthetic materials and a process largely applied in a street art context and whether it can be an effective medium to interpret classical landscapes. Through a labour-intensive process, the focus is on the handling of the materials, the fragility of the stencil and the sheer time required to execute a piece. I aim to create a physical piece of work that can be appreciated for its craft and complexity as well as something that responds directly to the subject matter.
Influenced by and bearing in mind hundreds of years of landscape painters – particularly the French Impressionists, I approach my work with the importance of light and touch in mind, endeavouring to convey the feel and atmosphere of a place. The relationship of colour to the landscape forms an important consideration; with a limited and synthetic palette available, the flow of the terrain becomes increasingly important, driving the narrative of the image.
~ Gregor Henderson
- Cornerstones by Gregor Henderson - 28th July 2020