Paul Butterworth
In 2024 Paul had two paintings selected for The Graduate Art Show at the Vanner Gallery in Salisbury, which is billed as the best art graduates of 2024 from 38 art schools. He was also long-listed for the Beep Painting Biennial, as well as graduating from the University for the Creative Arts with a 2:1 Painting in July.
Paul Butterworth, a 2024 graduate of the University for the Creative Arts, made a notable impression with his solo show at Cambridge Art Space in 2023, an exceptional accomplishment for an artist yet to complete his studies. His work celebrates colour and emotion, embodying his belief in art’s transformative power.
Butterworth describes his work as centred on joy, aiming to “make your soul sing.” His canvases, which he calls “visual villanelles” or “colour symphonies,” combine structured composition with spontaneous expression. He views colour as a sculptural medium, creating a physical, visceral experience that constantly evolves. His goal is to envelop viewers in happiness, likening the sensation to “having a shower in a rainbow.”
Butterworth’s exploration of colour can be seen as comparable to the practices of contemporary artists like Yinka Shonibare and David Batchelor. Shonibare’s vibrant use of colour often explores themes of identity and post-colonialism, while Butterworth focuses on eliciting joy and a sense of universal connection. Similarly, Batchelor’s examination of the materiality and philosophy of colour resonates with Butterworth’s approach, treating colour as a substantial, emotive force.
In this tradition, Butterworth uses colour as a language to convey deep emotions, inviting viewers to experience a space of pure, unadulterated joy.
