Steven Grainger's work displayed recently at Milburn + Arte evokes an intuitive response from the viewer. These works explore the themes Grainger has been developing for some time. His is a gentle reflection, simply conveyed, which concentrates upon the creative power of interacting opposites, the mystery and wonder of growth and the relationship between thinking and doing. As a result his work exhibits both earthly and other-worldly qualities.
His paintings and drawings develop a rich imagery: certain themes and symbols used previously recur and are at once personal and universal.
In an important and seminal work exhibited at Michael Milburn Galleries in October 1987 this artist depicted the idea of growth. A series of 450 small paintings formed a grid through which a gradual change took place. Undifferentiated forms became more complicated and specialised, but finally returned to simple but more sophisticated images. One was reminded of the evolutionary growth described by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin in The Phenomenon of Man.
Many of the current paintings continue to explore the growth theme, often symbolised by the pregnant figure. This image brings forth feelings of mystery, hope, joy and purpose. The artist shows a compassion for the human condition and a recognition of its place in the divine scheme of things. The human figure plays an important part in a number of these works and is treated with dignity and reverence.
The visual device which serves as the title of the exhibition is taken from a pair of frequently used images - the human head crowned with a cross and the human head sprouting a network of shoots or feelers, like antlers. Various aspects of human thought and endeavour are typified