The Beal deal
Figures hang suspended and exposed in vague landscapes of coloured panels and platforms. Bartholomew Beal’s paintings are dark and light, disturbing and beautiful, rich with meaning yet unnervingly ambiguous. There’s the horror of Francis Bacon, and the colourful exuberance of Peter Doig. Anyone who visited last year’s solo show at the Fine Art Society will have witnessed Beal marry technical proficiency and compositional brio in a way that belies his 25 years. Educated at Wimbledon College of Art, Beal accumulated a number of painting prizes on his way to graduating with first class honours. Interest from collectors followed hot on the heels of academic success – in 2014 he sold out countless shows, including one at the Fine Art Society, where he is the youngest artist ever to have a solo show. Beal’s status as a painter is rising, and so are the prices commanded by his work; last year his largest paintings were going for around £15,000. The smallest, around 24x35cm, went for £4,500. If you want a Beal in your bedroom, get in touch with his managers at Isis Phoenix Arts. They consider all enquiries and are happy to talk to prospective buyers about future shows and possible commissions. But get in quick – there’s already a considerable waiting list.
To enquire about purchasing a Bartholomew Beal painting, contact [email protected]