Alan Stanners’ practice engages portraiture with a foundation in abstraction, creating imagined figures that probe the complexities of human existence through an unsettling realism. His work investigates humanity's evolving relationship with itself, the natural world, and the otherness found within everyday life. Though now focused on portraiture, Stanners’ early abstract influences are evident in his expressive handling of paint, where controlled, hyper-realistic detail is juxtaposed with looser brushwork, creating a dynamic tension on the canvas.
Stanners’ characters are not literal representations but psychological states, developed from various inspirations—a magazine pose, a line in a book, or a friend’s likeness—fused together to evoke emotional tones and subtle narratives. Through precise yet disquieting details, he constructs scenes that appear familiar but subtly unsettle the viewer. Inconsistent shadows, skewed proportions, and exaggerated perspectives give rise to an uncanny quality, inviting viewers to revisit the work and reassess their initial impressions.
Drawing on surrealist influences like René Magritte, Stanners’ approach creates a “window into the void,” where the familiar slips into the unfamiliar. His paintings mirror his fascination with the subtle unease within the banalities of daily life, capturing moments that feel both intimate and estranged. Working from his home studio, Stanners allows these portraits to evolve over time, transforming each canvas into a site of contemplation where human stories and emotional tensions intertwine, prompting viewers to confront the psychological depth of modern life.
Stanners’ characters are not literal representations but psychological states, developed from various inspirations—a magazine pose, a line in a book, or a friend’s likeness—fused together to evoke emotional tones and subtle narratives. Through precise yet disquieting details, he constructs scenes that appear familiar but subtly unsettle the viewer. Inconsistent shadows, skewed proportions, and exaggerated perspectives give rise to an uncanny quality, inviting viewers to revisit the work and reassess their initial impressions.
Drawing on surrealist influences like René Magritte, Stanners’ approach creates a “window into the void,” where the familiar slips into the unfamiliar. His paintings mirror his fascination with the subtle unease within the banalities of daily life, capturing moments that feel both intimate and estranged. Working from his home studio, Stanners allows these portraits to evolve over time, transforming each canvas into a site of contemplation where human stories and emotional tensions intertwine, prompting viewers to confront the psychological depth of modern life.
