Come a Little Closer is a large scale, joyful exploration of the surface pattern and design of painting.

London artist Michael Roberts explains, "My primary concerns are with surface, repetition, layering and colour" all traits which can be clearly seen in the thousands of individual brushstrokes that make up this work. Come a Little Closer invites you to analyse the surface of the painting and marvel in the painstaking repetition of these short, sharp and methodical brushstrokes. 

For Michael the inspiration of his work begins with ordinary, everyday surroundings "Often the beginning of work is gleaned from observed situations, books read, mundane encounters, the jetsam and flotsam of everyday life or chance."

But it isn't long before these tangible motifs are transformed into an abstract burst of colour. Come a Little Closer appears like an exploded landscape from a post-impressionist artist like Paul Signac or Henri-Edmond Cross. The revolutionary pointillist technique of these artists is scattered across the canvas leaving the blue skies, golden sunsets and green landscapes in a new 21st century abstract order. 

Accolades

Michael Roberts has a BA from Trent Polytechnic and finished his studies in the Printmaking Department at the RCA. Selected group shows include a solo guest presentation at London Art Fair with Patrick Heide, Madeleine, Patrick Heide Contemporary Art London., RA 250 Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy Of Arts, PULSE art fair Miami USA, Patrick Heide Contemporary Art London. Michael is a visiting lecturer at Architectural Association, London, The Arts University College at Bournemouth, Royal College of Art, London and Winchester College of Art