Piers Alsop British , b. 1984

Piers Alsop (b.1984, London) is a painter that balances philosophical poignancy with sardonic humour in his intriguing compositions. Often featuring allegorical or classical references, the figures and landscapes in his paintings create a stage and provoke questions about faith and belief in contemporary life. Specifically, Piers takes compositional inspiration from Byzantine and Renaissance religious paintings, paring them down to their most basic shapes and invading them with vivid colours. He enjoys the spectrum of realism that pervades through to the abstract, producing a montage aesthetic that does away with traditional perspective.

Alsop’s painting, 'Agony In The Sculpture Garden', is an interpretation of a scene depicting a priest accepting his suffering by embracing God’s will. Alsop’s priest dons a designer jacket and holds an olive garnish on a cocktail stick, his appearance is somewhat ridiculous and questions the sincerity of his suffering. If the priest represents the modern man, Alsop is perhaps asking how we deal with suffering, what do we accept as our fate? 

Alsop studied Fine Art at Camberwell College, UAL, graduating in 2007. He exhibited around the UK before pursuing a career in film, eventually returning to painting in 2018 when he was selected to show in the 250th anniversary of the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.