Backhouse is a full-time artist based in Johannesburg. He studied Fine Art at Rhodes University under Brian Bradshaw, from 1970 – 1971. He later worked as an art director and creative director at various advertising agencies in South Africa, for a period of 25 years.
After that many years in the industry, sensibilities of advertising become apparent in Backhouse’s work, particularly in his playful use of zesty colour and satirical figures. In his more recent works, which were exhibited at David Krut Projects in 2007 and 2009, he employed the technique of watercolour monotype. Backhouse says he has been particularly delighted with the scope of vivid and finely textured colour made available to him by this medium.
Although very versatile in figural satires, Backhouse is primarily concerned with the contemporary landscape, falling within the genre of traditional landscape painting. He believes that the average South African landscape has been over-exploited to a point where it is no longer visually challenging to either the post-modern artist or the viewer. In trying to review this genre, his aim is to make people question and think differently about the landscape in watercolour, it is a journey for both artist and viewer.
Bruce Backhouse
Prices
