Nathan Preston, who works under the pseudonym Preston Paperboy has exhibited in Hong Kong, Atlanta, and Miami, among other cities and is now returning to London to show his new collection titled ‘Lonely Crowded Places’ his first solo show at Reem Gallery Soho, in Ham Yard Village, launching 16th Nov – 3rd Dec.
His work described by the gallery as “Neo Expressionist Portraits” are heavily influenced by street art, pop culture, advertising and the artist’s own experiences with mental illness.
The ‘happy’ face with dollar signs for eyes and a single tear is particularly personal to him – a flipped version of the original smiley face, that refers to his past struggles with depression, and serves as a reminder for him to keep doing what he loves and not be too distracted by material success or failure. Preston believes that art has saved his life. Although not defined by depression it has played a definitive role in determining his newfound career and path.
“Art was an escape, a bit of time alone in my mind, my own kind of therapy. Now it’s a career, it’s brought in my family… it’s less intimate, but it’s still an escape. I’ve found a bit of purpose in my life.”
What started off as a therapeutic form of escapism, took on a life of its own and has set him on a new path of discovery and artistic expression and success. Humble honest and open – his artworks betray a sophisticated narrative that is intelligent, witty and aesthetically conscious and at ease within the contemporary digital age. Think Cy Twombly’s neutral and pastel colour palette and paint textures, Basquiat’s playful use of text and chaotic street art motifs, and photo realist facial features taken straight out of a high-end glossy magazine, but that are actually painted meticulously by Preston himself. The carefully composed pieces are almost collage like on first glance, but are made using charcoal, oil pastel and oil paint in block colours and layers, to reveal a carefully curated assembly of facial features, text and repeated personal motifs. The most common motif is his ‘smiler’ symbol and it is also his ‘second signature’.
Having studied architecture at the University of Brighton, Nathan worked as an architect for a decade whilst painting on the side, before becoming a full-time artist. His work can best be described as Neo-expressionist portraiture. The carefully composed works use charcoal, oil pastels and oil paints in layers to reveal facial features, text, and repeated personal motifs to display a narrative that is influenced by street art, pop culture, and the artist’s own experiences with mental illness.
Listen here to a recent interview with Phoebe Minson, Creative Director of Reem Gallery, Ham Yard Village, Soho.
