We’re incredibly excited to announce that our Shoreditch shop will soon be displaying specially created works by our new artist in focus Mr Donald Urquhart, who is a fantastic talent with ink and acrylic and has been featured at Maureen Paley in Herald Street.
© Donald Urquhart, courtesy Maureen Paley, London
Before we introduce you to the man behind the work however (keep your eyes peeled for the following interview), we took the time to have a chat with Maureen – the creative drive behind the gallery itself – to offer you a little more overview about her extensive career within the art industry and the development of her project space…
Tell us a little bit about your background in art and how the gallery has come to be?
I opened my gallery in London’s East End in 1984 having moved here a bit earlier and have been committed to the area ever since. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the gallery. When it first began it was a project space and it has evolved ever since.
© Donald Urquhart, courtesy Maureen Paley, London
Did you ever foresee yourself in such a role professionally?
From a very young age at school I was interacting with art. Not just being asked about my own work, but also be asked to offer my comments on others’. I was always as interested in other people’s work as any of my own. It’s what I enjoy doing and feels very natural and creative to enable art to exist in the world.
The gallery appears to feature many different styles of artistic personality and the respective work. Does your broad taste in art influence this?
I’m attracted to artists who don’t have a unified style. I’m interested in people who have an outstanding level of commitment to their work. We display a variety of mediums and encourage diversity which I think is a healthy thing.
What can visitors expect to take away from a visit to your gallery?
We are committed to presenting work with a level of depth and intensity. Our visitors can expect an atmosphere more representative of a lab rather than a shop space. From October the 14th, we are showcasing Wolfgang Tillmans’ newest work and it’s going to be very exciting.
© Donald Urquhart, courtesy Maureen Paley, London
What was it about Donald that really caught your attention?
Donald has a very distinctive approach to drawing. He also has a wonderful writing ability. He is very theatrical and inventive and is currently living in Paris.
What kind of impact do you feel having such art in shops like ours can achieve?
Murdock struck me in particular as not just being a shop, but a place where there is activity. Where there is an entire concept and an awareness of design. It’s more of an environment and I really like that. I think the art shown can complement the situation it is shown in.
Do you have any advice for young people looking to push their art within a professional landscape?
As an artist you must endeavour to be as true to yourself as you can be. You must really know what you want to do and be willing to be dedicated to an often very singular and specific lifestyle. In many ways, this is the deepest commitment. Creative people in general have many different options and areas of work to engage in. As an artist your personal viewpoint is what will define you.
You can visit Maureen Paley at 21 Herald Street, E2 6JT. Opening times are Wednesday to Sunday 11.00 – 18.00 and also by appointment.