Garry Hobbs

Artist Garry Hobbs says...

'I merge reality with unreality, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Inspired by pop culture and the surreal, I paint evocative, stories that challenge norms and explore the sublime.

My work starts with an image—a person, a scene, or a moment that captures my attention. From there, I add layers to tell a story, spark a memory, or evoke the emotion of a song or a snippet of conversation. My artistic influences include Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Stanley Spencer, Paula Rego, Peter Blake, Peter Howson and Grayson Perry, as well as the photographs of Martin Parr and Richard Heeps all of whose work resonate with me.

Music is equally central to my process and is as varied and rich as my artistic inspirations. Proudly embracing the "boomer" tag, I draw inspiration from the lyrics and sentiments of artists like Lennon and McCartney, The Small Faces, Guy Garvey, Paul Weller, Bob Dylan, Paul Heaton, David Bowie, The Who, and Neil Hannon amongst many.

I gather inspiration from the world around me, like a magpie collecting treasures. The chaos of modern life—its surprises, juxtapositions, and odd connections—informs my work, often creating moments that feel both surreal and familiar. For me, painting and drawing are not just pastimes. They help me navigate the world and express my perspective. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to find humour, curiosity, and wonder in the everyday, revealing the beauty in life’s often-overlooked moments.

This exhibition is a return to Norwich for me, having had a studio here from 2001- 2006. I am excited to have this exhibition in this wonderful space to showcase a body of work that I think truly represents what I am about to a new audience.'