Snapshots of South London
Ted McKenzie (b.1999) is an emerging contemporary painter who works from life in his urban surroundings in South London. Partly influenced by historical painters known for working ‘en plein air’, such as the Impressionists, his atmospheric, compact paintings are characterised by dynamic brushwork and an often dusky, organic palette. Typically he works on paintings for 1 or 2 hours, finishing as changes in light or weather become too drastic. His paintings are snapshots of place and practical acts of location – a communion between the individual and the more central reality that parks and public spaces represent.
Although painting can be seen as a solitary pursuit, Ted often choses to paint in company. A notable artistic influence for him is the ‘Group of Seven’, a pivotal collective of landscape painters working in Canada in the 1920s and ‘30s. Ted says; ‘working in an impressionistic style is not a goal for me but rather a by-product of trying to simplify a lot of complex information into a small painting’, ‘painting outdoors with other artists really expands my breadth of perception, a subtle difference of thought can dramatically alter what you make of appearances’.
Ted received his BA in Fine Art from City and Guilds of London Art School in Kennington (2024). He has exhibited widely since 2022 including shows at Oliver Projects, Turps Gallery, Terrace Gallery and South Parade (all in London), and in the USA at Teffia Primary in Kingston, New York. Recent recognition includes being shortlisted for the New Blood Art Emerging Art Prize and featured in Anna Moss’ FAD Magazine article ‘7 London Art Grads to See at the Shows’ (both 2024).
Little Louie, 14 Ash Avenue, London SE17 1GQ through March & April 2026 where Ted will also make you a nice cup of coffee.
More details on the artist: https://edwardmckenzie.co.uk/about/
