Biography
Self taught, obsessive and unique, after eight years as a self-taught painter, Chris Cyprus has moved on from portraying Lancashire’s stunning landscapes to painting allotments on hillsides close to his home.
After numerous TV appearances, notably BBC Gardener’s World in summer 2008 his paintings are in high demand and purchased by buyers both at home and abroad who find a magnetic appeal in the secret world of garden sheds and home-grown root vegetables.
The 38-year-old from Mossley, Lancashire Speaking at the opening of a recent exhibition, said that his passion for painting allotment scenes began with a fascination with the humble garden shed.
“They are secretive places. What is hidden inside, how old it is, and the aesthetic look has always interested me. There’s a kind of nostalgia to sheds that evokes images of granddads with flat caps, pipes, and vests”.
He says his favourite artists, Van Gogh and Paul Cezanne, who were at the forefront of the Impressionist movement, inspire his work.
“At the time, their paintings were derided by most of their contemporaries and rejected by the public, only now do we look at these painters as the greatest, most celebrated artists in the history of all art movements”.
“The same thing happened with L S Lowry in the 1950s. People said he couldn't paint to save his life, but now he has museums, hotels — even roads — named after him. This is the difference between good painters and artists.”
Chris adds: “When I first met people on the allotments, it reminded me of Van Gogh's 'Farm Workers' and Lowry's figurative studies.”
Born April 1971, In Gorton, Manchester. After a brief time living in Stockport, Chris moved to Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, a small town built around the old cotton mills and the river Tame. He left school in 1987 with only 4 G.C.S.E's and an O' level in Art at grade A+, going on to work for the family business as a Carpet Fitter until 1991. Chris then become a self employed builder and part time Musician, working the Northern Clubs and occasionally touring Germany.
After a work related injury in August 1998, Chris took up painting as a hobby and in 1999 hired a stand at the Manchester Art Show at G.Mex where he sold all his exhibited paintings. In 2001 Chris was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer, which then recurred in 2003. After having Radiotherapy he finally got the all clear in 2004. The illness helped him to prioritise the important things in life, highlighting the things that are usually taken for granted. This strengthened his artistic vision and fuelled his passion to succeed as an artist.
Chris is a member of the Manchester based group MEN MATTER helping to raise awareness for mens cancers. Please help Chris to help others fight Cancer, by donating or volunteering for the group.
To read more about Men Matter click on the logo.
Thanks for your support.
