I have been to one of Ian’s show’s in the past and so it was intrigued to see his new work. I think perhaps the painting shown below is riveting as well as the “black & blue one” upstairs are some of my favourites. Many people in attendance also said they like the black & blue painting the best. I compelled to know more so I casually ask Ian some questions at the opening night of his show at Noho Gallery in London, last Thursday night.

P – what is a show all about? It’s nice to meet you by the way

I – (laughter…) thank you so much, it’s about silence and noise, quiet paintings and noisy paintings… sometimes, I like to do noisy paintings and other times I like to do things that are a bit quieter

P – and what period of your life does this cover?

I – well this all in the last couple of years so…

P – so you’ve been silent and…

I – yea sometimes we’ve all got different sides to our personality, sometimes we like noise, sometimes we like parties and, sometimes we like to have quite times…

I like… doing both things, I like to explore different things you know…

P – could you give me an example of a quiet painting and party painting?

I – The ones that are upstairs are quiet… these are the party paintings, downstairs. The ones upstairs are quiet, they are very still and they are more maybe a little bit spiritual, emotional… there is more of an emotional impact, they are basically bedroom paintings more lively more wild

P – so there is basically a kind of push and pull in this show between the upstairs and downstairs

I – there are subtle more solemn, they are basically bedroom paintings, and these are more loudly more energetic more wild…

P- well I’m glad we’re downstairs then

I – well you’ve come to the right place…

P – Thank you

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Ian Rayer-Smith – Sonitus Et Silentium at NoHo Studios

Sound and Silence. The title of Ian Rayer-Smith’s exhibition ‘Sonitus et Silentium’ refers to the double personalities of his recent works, going from vibrant/loud paintings to muted/quieter ones.

October 2022

• 46 Great Titchfield Street
• London
  Greater London
• W1W 7QA

https://www.ianrayersmith.com/

@ianrspaints