The Shot Tower Paintings, Chester – 2019
Three oil paintings produced to showcase the project developed by DLA Design Groups Manchester office.
Painting One
I wanted to emphasise the weight of the connecting pathway into the site with this viewpoint.
The vertical elements of the composition are extended as a reference to part gravity played in the shot making process, and how this was produced by lead falling as droplets down a vertical shaft, the height of which determined the size of the shot being produced.
I wanted the vertical elements to be almost ghost like and transparent in appearance, again, a reference to the past.
The text ‘The Dream’ references the dream that Bristol based plumber, William Watts (who patented the shot making process in England in 1783) supposedly had as his source of inspiration.
Painting Two
In this painting I wanted to create a feeling for the use and industrial nature of the material palette, emphasizing the depth of shadows and weight of the building composition.
The offset angles of the picture frame allows the viewer’s eye to be drawn in.
The text ‘Walkers & Parkers patent lead shot’ (distressed) is taken from historic photos showing sacks of lead shot ready for distribution after the process was complete.
The vertical and horizontal extensions again relate to the shot making process and add a visual tension to the composition.
Painting Three
Again, in this painting I have played on the industrial influences.
I have deliberately omitted the window details to concentrate on the importance of how the empty dark apertures affect the emotional response to the building mass.
The vertical and horizontal extensions again relate to the shot making process, although here, I wanted to create a platform in this composition to reference the two that would have been inside the tower, from which the shot was dropped, this also aids in balancing the overall composition.
The text (distressed) again is taken from historic photos.