Stephen Whatcott

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Emerging Artist

Stephen Whatcott creates abstract monochrome paintings.

Stephen’s canvases explore solidity, texture and form, and are defined by simplicity, harmony and truth.

Stephen works intuitively with a technique characterised by balancing instinctive mark-making and control.

Stephen Whatcott is a self-taught artist currently based in Worcestershire. Born in 1983 in Cheltenham, UK, Stephen was previously committed to figurative drawing until, in recent years, he decided to focus more intently on abstract paintings. His paintings explore solidity, texture and form, and are defined by simplicity, harmony and truth.

Stephen Whatcott’s Artistic Practice

Stephen works with a largely limited palette to emphasise line and form over colour. The artist experiments with free-flowing brushstrokes and layered textures, with each new layer referring to preceding marks and energising them. Stephen’s compositions are at once emotional and intuitive; at first glance, there is a clear structure, but on closer inspection, spontaneity, complexity, and impulse shine through. Monochromatic abstract expressionistic works such as Kekoa, acrylic on canvas, show Stephen’s uncurbed expressivity.

Awards and Collections

Stephen is currently represented by several galleries and consultants based in London, Chicago, Glasgow and Paris, and his work is held in private collections worldwide. In 2015, the artist won the Painting category of the Secret Art Prize open art competition and, in 2018, was shortlisted for the Rise Art Prize.