Since his last show here Frank has continued to experiment with reliefs and assemblages, some of which have left the wall and become free-standing sculptures. In some of the work he has returned to imagery developed in his paintings based on earlier travels to Costa Rica and Spain - he's back in Barcelona at the time of writing.

But now layers of paint have become layers of wood and the illusion of three dimensions has become actual three dimensions - although some illusions remain. Some are a fusion of illusion and allusion, featuring an infusion of protusion, sometimes confusion but no collusion. They are made by an artist more inclined to elusion than obtrusion, in seclusion, not reclusion, not in profusion, are art he trusts - not delusion - and have yet to reach a conclusion. Still with me?

There is, of course, the continued influence of his artistic heroes such as Klee, Kandinsky and Ben Nicholson along with Miro, Gaudi and the Modernists in the Barcelona/Spanish reliefs. There are also one or two references to the Dutch de Stijl movement and artists such as Mondrian who had a considerable influence on Nicholson. These and many, many more influences are the herbs and spices in the stew that is his work. The nails are there to work their magic as they are in another of Frank's interests, African tribal art - in particular the Minkisi of the Congo.

He has also been looking again at the work of Michael Tyzack who died earlier this year. Tyzack was an important figure in British abstract painting in the 60s and 70s before his move to America, and was Frank's first year tutor at Cardiff. The strong colours and geometric designs of the larger reliefs are perhaps a kind of homage to Tyzack.

Frank Taylor studied Fine Art at Bucks, Cardiff and Brighton Colleges of Art and Design. He combined careers in art education, illustration and graphic design for many years. He lectured in Art History for several years before taking on senior posts at Amersham and then Salisbury College. In 1990 he left his head of department position at Salisbury College of Art & Design in order to travel and to paint.

Since that time he has had frequent solo shows in this country as well as exhibiting in galleries and art fairs in Europe, South Africa and the USA. He has exhibited with the RWS, RBA, RSMA, ROI, NEAC and RI and has been a finalist in the Sunday Times, Laing and Hunting painting competitions.

Prints and posters of his work are published by several leading fine art publishers. His work is represented in a number of public collections including that of the Houses of Parliament - a justifiable expense for politicians - and in private and corporate collections worldwide.

Ian Courcoux

Click here to see details of Frank Taylor's previous exhibition at Courcoux & Courcoux

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