Paul Winstanley (British, b. 1954). Oil on canvas painting titled "Utopia 1" depicting a realistic interior room with floor-length glass doors. A city can be seen through a haze outside the doors.

Lot Essay:
Born in Manchester in June 1954, Paul Winstanley is a renowned artist who embarked on his artistic journey by studying painting at Cardiff College of Art from 1973 to 1976, followed by the Slade from 1976 to 1978. Initially influenced by abstract Modernism, Winstanley later forged a distinctive visual language, merging minimalism with photographic pictorialism. His breakthrough moment came with the exhibition of the large painting 'Walkway' at the Whitechapel Open in 1989, earning him the prestigious first prize Unilever Award. This success led to a year as Kettle's Yard artist in residence in Cambridge, where he produced a significant body of work exploring semi-public, post-war interior spaces, culminating in impactful shows like 'Driven Landscapes' in 1993 and 'Annexe' at Tate, Millbank in 1997/98.

Throughout the 1990s, Winstanley's work delved into the utility of English modernism and its political context, including landscapes viewed from moving vehicles. After recovering from a serious road accident, his focus shifted to the transience of the interior/exterior relationship, exemplified by the 'Veil' series. His major retrospective in 2008 at Art Space, Auckland, New Zealand, showcased the evolution of his artistic exploration. Winstanley's art places a central emphasis on the role of the viewer, incorporating occasional figures and portraying active passivity. His diverse body of work has been featured in exhibitions worldwide, and his creations find homes in esteemed collections such as Tate, MoMA, MoCA, and more. Currently residing and working in London, Winstanley continues to push the boundaries of his practice, as evidenced by his publications, including the photographic project 'Art School' in 2013 and the book '59 Paintings' in 2018.
Height: 75 in x width: 93 in x depth: 1 3/4 in. The painting is in overall good condition with no losses or restorations. Some scuffs along the edges, particularly along the top edge. Clean verso and stretcher.