Using oils or acrylic, Kevin Devonport likes to paint traditional genres in a degree of realism however all the images have a contemporary essence. Devonport is a self-taught painter therefore he does not hold any artistic qualifications although he does hold a First Class honours BSc in Sociology that does have an influence on his work. Popular themes Devonport explores are consumerism and people’s attachments to materiality alongside perceptions of ‘the self and identity.
Self-taught or art school?
I am a self-taught artist. I learned to paint whilst serving a prison sentence for drug offences so, therefore, discovered my ability to paint quite late on in life. I do however think that an artistic streak was in me as I have always enjoyed visiting galleries etc. but just never imagined I could do it myself. Whilst in prison I used to look through the window of the art class and admire the work of prisoners but never could find the courage to go in there (I was afraid I’d make a fool of myself). Eventually, fate put me in there as I was assigned to the class through no choice of my own; this is when I found a new love in my life that has been significantly life-changing. In prison, I won a national Koestler Award for painting and donated much of my work to charity which raised considerable amounts. My aim upon leaving prison was to study for an MSc in Criminology as I thought the only way of gaining employment was to try and use my past as a positive. Again, fate pushed me down the artistic route as my course at Leeds University was cancelled due to the pandemic. As that doorway closed others opened as my painting began to get increasingly recognised, now I am walking this path and seeing where it leads to.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
If I could own any painting it would have to be one by Tamara de Lempicka, maybe Portrait de Ira or Group of for new nudes. I adore all of her work, she’s certainly my favourite artist. She depicts perfectly the period in which she lived capturing that Art Deco style but with her own uniqueness.
How would you describe your style?
I like to paint the traditional genres particularly still life with an element of realism, however, my images do have a contemporary essence. I have a particular fondness of painting mundane objects, It is quite an achievement of the artist to captivate an audience with artifacts of the quotidian. By allowing a spectator to study a painting of objects regarding banality allows them to see through the eyes of an artist rather than just admire an image. For instance, painting such an image the artist scrutinises light, shadow, shades, reflection, and shape that places them in a state of mindfulness which allows the real aesthetic value of artifacts to emerge.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I never search for subject matters as I find the subject finds me. When putting a composition together I do like to work from an image that I compose myself, quite often I may photograph my subject matter to allow me to draw out the proportions correctly. When it comes to painting the images, quite often I do not completely replicate the image. I find that I go into a zone where I do not think consciously of what I am doing and my hands just act accordingly, I could not explain how I produce my images in this state of being as I do not know myself.
Is narrative important within your work?
Narrative does have quite an influence on a significant proportion of my work but not all. I do paint commissions but do not want to take my art forward in this way, however, I do appreciate the opportunity of doing such work to take me out of a comfort zone that can offer scope for learning and improvement. I am currently working on a series of still life paintings that involve material objects and the Tarot that will eventually create my own life narrative. I have often been told I should write a book about my life experiences which influenced the idea to offer a story in still life images. The project is ongoing as I am not solely concentrating on one project but creating other works in between each image. This is mainly to stem enthusiasm from going stale by allowing me to approach each painting of the series with a certain degree of freshness.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I have already mentioned that my favourite artist is Tamara De Lempicka because of her distinct and obviously beautiful style. I do however admire many artists from Raphael to Warhol, there are just so many to appreciate and compare.
What or who inspires your art?
I wouldn’t say that I try to emulate any artist as I just create from my own feeling. If anyone that has maybe in some form subconsciously influenced me it could be Edward Hopper purely for painting banal scenes but giving them a hidden meaning. I do not have any formal artistic qualifications but do hold a First-Class Honours BSc in Sociology that does influence some of my painting themes, alongside this I have also gathered personal experiences as influential.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I am currently located at Assembly House Studios in Leeds. It is housed in an old textile mill and is home to over 30 artists. It could be said that Assembly House discovered me and offered me a residency at quite a crucial period in my life. I couldn’t be asked to be located in a better place and with a better bunch of people. Leeds itself is a great place to be a creative, I’ve noticed that many people come to study Art here and end up relocating to this city.
Do you have any studio rituals?
If there are any rituals, it could be said by starting the day with a strong coffee and conversation which in itself at times can be inspiring.
What are you working on now?
I have just completed a painting for The Tetley in Leeds that was part of a bursary for myself and three other Leeds-based artists that will shortly be released through their platforms. Also, I’ve almost completed designing a Tarot card that will be part of a deck by Leeds Tarot project. The deck will consist of each of the 78 cards to be designed individually by a separate artist, I was drawn the 8 of clubs. I have also started a painting that will follow the theme ‘people’s connection/disconnection with nature that will be part of an online exhibition with a creative community I am a part of.
Where can we buy your work?
You can buy my art or enquire about commissions on my Instagram accounts:
