Western Morning News (Saturday)
Reflections on the challenges of life at sea
ANTHONY Amos was a hugely talented marine artist who captured the hardship and challenges of life at sea. Influenced by Rembrandt and Turner his paintings have a unique raw power that is impossible to ignore.
There is something very comforting about this new exhibition of over 30 works by the late Anthony Amos, a feeling of “coming home”. His paintings are so instantly recognisable by those who love his work and who followed him throughout the 20 years he painted in South Devon, first at Topsham then in his tiny studio in the Narrows, Totnes.
As an artist he acquired a huge following. His studio was always busy with people who would pop in, only too happy to chat to the man himself as he sketched and painted in front of them.
Tony Amos created such wonderful paintings, mostly inspired by his time at sea as part of the Merchant Navy where he worked on every kind of vessel, from trawlers and tugs to deep-sea cargo ships.
He painted with speed and passion, discarding brushes and instead employing his fingers and bits of rag. Working quickly with his hands gave his work a certain vibrancy, a raw palpable energy you can feel.
He was bold and adventurous and loved to experiment. In his hands old working tugs become majestic titans of the sea, tractors on the beach look stylish and elegant under huge skies that seem to go on forever, and the faces of hard-working men and women convey strength, character and endurance.
He was a truly gifted draughtsman and could capture perfectly a moment in time – a gesture, an expression, a posture, a movement – making his paintings as fresh and relevant today as when they were created.
Far Horizons by Anthony Amos (1950-2010) is at Brownston Gallery from October 19 to November 12. There is a private view on Sunday, October 17, 2pm to 5pm.
For more information contact The Brownston Gallery, Modbury via art@brownstonart.com or call on 01548 831338.