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A very engaging nautical whale scene, painted in a naïve style in oil onto canvas, by British artist Matt Rix.
This painting features two stylized sperm whales swimming side by side in calm blue waters, rendered in a folk art style. The upper whale is painted in a deep black with a prominent rectangular head, a curled tail, and a red mouth filled with sharp white teeth. Its expression is alert, with a white eye accentuating the quirky character.
Below it, a second sperm whale is depicted in grey tones, its body transitioning from dark grey on the head to pale silvery grey at the tail. It mirrors the shape of the upper whale, including the toothy grin and small, expressive eye, but has a more subtle, weathered texture that suggests depth or distance.
The overall effect is both whimsical and calm, evoking a playful marine scene with a touch of narrative — perhaps a parent and calf, or two companions in the deep. The use of flat colours, simplified forms, and deliberate textures gives the painting a naïve, handcrafted charm.
British artist Matt Rix spent his childhood in South Africa and now lives with his family on a small holding in rural North Wales. His paintings are uncomplicated, modernist representations influenced by primitive and naïve folk art from times past. Many of the subjects Rix paints are inspired by the animals he sees from day to day. Rix uses recycled materials including discarded paints, boards, frames and backing paper. Much of his work is therefore produced using waste materials resulting in sustainable paintings that evoke a time-worn, nostalgic essence.
To view the other paintings in this collection, click here.
Size: 33 x 43 cm (including frame)
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