Perth Voice Interactive

ROLLING green hills and leafy landscapes are not for Sydney artist Jasper Knight.

“I’m inspired by freeways and underpasses and industrial scenes,” he tells the Voice.

Growing up around Sydney Harbour, and walking to school it’s the harsh urban streets that formed his view of the world.

“People say why do you paint such gritty realism and make it happy.

“I say I don’t see it as grittiness…industrial is beautiful.”

Bright colours and bold strokes imbue his industrial images with vibrancy, in part influenced by the pop-art of the ‘60s. “I’m inspired by [that]. The colours are primary,” says Knight.

His “canvases” are as industrial as his images, and include old signs, masonite pegboards and vinyl and enamel paint that “drips and spills” over the surface to give the illusion of movement. He used to scrounge them himself, but with a growing reputation and highly successful exhibitions nationally as well as London, Berlin and Beijing the Archibald finalist is sourcing them elsewhere.

“I used to find them and it was romantic. These days with schedules and deadlines…” he trails off with a sigh.

Island in the Sun is on at Linton and Kay Galleries until November 22.

by JENNY D’ANGER