Ian Stephenson

When viewed from a distance these grand paintings made from tiny drops of paint appear vast and diffuse; there is a sense of endlessness on the largest scale, although experienced intimately, as in a lyric mode. They also draw one towards them; the closer one looks at them, the more dots one sees, uncountable thousands of them. The outlines of the dots become sharper, and the paintings more precise. There is a surprising and considerable range in scale between the largest dots and the smallest pinpricks of colour, dots within dots, an experience of endlessness on the smallest scale, although experienced impersonally, as in an epic mode. The suggestion of an ever-opening multicoloured plane may have one of its distant origins in John Martin’s vast “Plains Of Heaven”, a print of which hung on his aunt’s wall and the only painting Ian remembered from his childhood. These great paintings of flux still the mind in contemplation of their wholeness, harmony, and radiance. Excerpt from Chris Yetton's catalogue essay for the 'Ian Stephenson: Planes of Heaven Large Paintings 1966-72 ' catalogue which was published on the occasion of the exhibition Ian Stephenson: Planes of Heaven Large paintings 1966–72 20 June – 12 September 2026 New Art Centre, Roche Court Sculpture Park Email: [email protected] Phone: +44 (0) 1980 862 244