'In less than 10 years Paul Wright has emerged as an accomplished and immensely talented artist and a defiant standard-bearer for the fundamental qualities of technique, craftsmanship, colour and texture in painting.  Although he is clearly influenced by the best traditions of fine art, his approach is individual, contemporary and powerful' Darryl McCarthy  - Paul Wright Paintings

The approach to Paul Wright’s wittily-named  Wright Boot Studio is unconventional. A
narrow doorway in the yard of a working Victorian warehouse leads you to a well-worn service lift that climbs slowly to the top floor, where this young artist has created a surprisingly bright and open space. There’s no inspiring view from the skylights; instead, it’s the array of Paul’s work around the walls that commands your immediate attention. His signature portraits are lined up like a welcoming party, their gaze coming at you from all angles. They number his closest family and friends, chance encounters and even those who have come forward unprompted to have their likeness captured.  Darryl McCarthy 2004  - Art Critic  

In 2006 The Modern Artists Gallery submitted Portrait of  Ian to the BP National Portrait Awards (Britain's premier award for Portrait Artists) held at London's National Portrait Gallery.  Paul Wright was a finalist in his highly prestigious competition.

Paul Wright skills are widely recognised and appreciated and last year he was included for the first time in the BP National Portrait Award selection, displayed at London’s National Portrait Gallery ahead of a nationwide tour. The piece chosen is characteristic of his work: Ian is a compact portrait of a close friend that, although small in dimensions, is exceptionally powerful in content. Paul  Wright has a masterful technique: bold, thick strokes are applied with confidence and economy, using a rich palette and creating a wonderful texture.

Style does not overwhelm the content, however, but gives a sharp focus to character and mood. The viewer is brought into the private world of the subject to ponder on his or her inner thoughts; with little or no background detail, there is nothing to distract from the creation of a direct and, at times, even intimate relationship.

Paul himself is open, humorous and enthusiastic about his work, his family and, to his further credit, cricket. On first acquaintance, it is easy to understand how he manages to build a trust in his subjects that allows them to so evidently relax and reveal their inner selves to the artist’s eye.

In capturing character, Paul Wright has occasionally shifted his focus from the face to look to explore the qualities that can be found in a person’s clothes, in particular shoes and boots. The way he captures the creases of a well-worn pair of brogues, or the folds and stains on a pair of the artist’s overalls again leads the viewer into the private world of the wearer. In the studio, this aspect of his work is reflected in discarded jeans and  odd shoes scattered rather comfortingly, as if in a student bedsit.

Not all his canvases are small and, perhaps as a means of breaking out of the intensity of his portraiture, Paul has embarked on a series of cloudscapes. These brilliant, open works give the artist breathing space and the opportunity to apply his technique and colour to a totally different subject.

Mastery of a fine technique and great artistic perception combine to make Paul Wright an artist of uncommon accomplishment and talent.
DARRYL McCARTHY 2006 Art Journalist, Art Critic and Art Collector

Education
1992 - 1995   B.A Illustration Falmouth School of Art
1991 - 1992   Foundation Studies Loughborough College of Art & Design

Post Grad.

1995 - 1999 Living and working in Leicester

1999 - 2002 Living and working in Bristol

2002 - 2004 Knighton Lane Studios Leicester

2004 - 2005 Studio in the LCB Depot Leicester

2005 -  present Studio in the Russko Building Leicester

Exhibitions  and Achievement

2011   Paul Wright  Ongoing Artist at The Modern Artists Gallery Berkshire
2011   The London Art Fair 2011, Islington, London
2010   Paul Wright Solo 2010 Modern Artists Gallery  Berkshire
2010   The Campden Gallery  Glos.  Solo Exhibition
2010   Texas State University  USA, Artist in Residence
2010   Thompsons Gallery  London
2009   The Discerning Eye Exhibition, London
2009   Paul Wright    Paintings Artist’s Monograph
2009 - Present  - Invited Lecturer Loughborough University
2009   The Bristol Gallery, Bristol, New Contemporaries 1
2008   Thompsons Gallery London
2007   Mall Galleries, London, Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Exhibition
2007   Commission  21 paintings for P&O
2006   National Portrait Gallery London BP Portrait Award Exhibition
2006   Modern Artists Gallery Berkshire  Paul Wright Recent Paintings
2005   Saltburn Artists Projects, Middlesborough, Grounding the Figure
2005   Paul Wright's Portrait of Eddie Isaacs M.B.E, British Rail Leicester Train Station
2004-2005   Public Mural and Sculpture Commission for Braunstone Health & Social Centre Leicester
2003  Paul Wright Portraits Modern Artists Gallery Berkshire
2003  Phoenix Arts Touring Exhibition  Decorating the Face
2003  Worksop College Nottinghamshire Artist in Residence

2001-2002  Naked  Exhibition Kaleidoscope Gallery London

2001 Annual Exhibition Plymouth Museum

2001 Open Exhibition  Royal West of England Academy
2001 Painting Triennial Artists Exhibition  Royal West of England Academy

COLLECTIONS

PRUDENTIAL
STANDARD CHARTER
ACCENTURE
LEICESTER HEALTH AUTHORITY
P&O
RUTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL
SMITH & WILLIAMSON
TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY