ARTISTS STATEMENT

The biographical text below is based on an interview with Brian Sinclair by Jim Stanton and published in the Edinburgh Evening News, 16th Sept 1999, on the occasion of Brian's debut exhibition.

When Brian Sinclair's 25-year old son, Bryan, died suddenly after an asthma attack 4 years ago Brian was naturally grief-stricken, but this was made worse by chronic illness, disability, being almost blind in one eye, and a sense of isolation. Stricken with Menier's disease and angina Brian, formerly a labourer based in Edinburgh, was desolate at the prospect of empty meaningless years ahead.But then an artist friend of Brian's , Mike Spring, asked him to recall something that had given him a sense of purpose. "I remembered about ten years earlier painting a picture of a guitar and trying to sell it for charity. Nobody bought it, but I got great satisfaction from doing something creative. I also recalled the intense feelibng of relaxation the painting had given me."So, Brian started painting again - and now has hundreds of abstract and landscape paintings created in acrylic and oils. He paints "from the mind. I don't believe artists should just copy things. It should be from the imagination and personal recollection. I can't get out much, but the landscapes I paint are the ones locked in my mind from the days I used to wander the hills and the countryside as a youngster. All I'm doing is bringing what's inside out."Bryan's death has released in me something that I dare say has always been there, but needed something, however tragic, to bring it out. The paintings are as I remember my son - lively, vibrant, and having a constant feeling of movement. If I hadn't taken up painting I don't know what situation I would be in now."Bryan's death so shocked me, I found talking about it was not enough. I needed more, I needed something that would act as a therapy. Nothing will ever allow me to come to terms with losing my son, but it helps knowing that Byran somehow steered me to where I am now."