Michael Moore
Gosport, Hampshire
Michael is a British painter based in Hampshire whose work explores memory, perception, and disorientation through reflective urban environments.
Message
Michael Moore is a contemporary artist based in Hampshire, UK, whose work intricately weaves together the themes of memory, loss, and the quiet complexities of urban life. Working predominantly in acrylic on canvas, with occasional collage and text elements, his paintings balance between realism and abstraction. Through reflective cityscapes, distorted architecture, and metaphorical surfaces, he invites viewers to contemplate the subtle ways in which perception and memory shape our experiences.
Michael’s journey as an artist began with a specialisation in Art at university, followed by a long and fulfilling career as a teacher for 35 years. Despite his reserved nature, his art speaks with clarity and depth, drawing on his early experiences as an introspective, solitary child. This perspective has shaped his approach to painting—always observing, always questioning, but rarely participating directly. His work embodies the tension between solitude and the interconnectedness of the world around us, offering a stillness that allows for contemplation amidst complexity.
Over the years, Michael’s work has garnered recognition, including a feature on Sky’s Landscape Artist of the Year and longlisting for several international awards. His paintings are sought after by collectors and galleries alike, particularly those who resonate with the quiet elegance and thoughtfulness that underpin his practice. His art speaks to those who seek calm in the chaos, who are drawn to the unseen and the unspoken, and who find beauty in the delicate fragments of memory.
Each piece created by Michael Moore serves as an invitation to pause, to reflect, and to rediscover what may have been forgotten—whether it’s a fleeting moment, a hidden memory, or the subtle beauty found in the complexity of our surroundings. In his work, he resurrects the past not in a literal sense, but as a visceral experience that stirs curiosity and wonder, evoking emotions both familiar and surprising.
Statement
Michael Moore – Artist Statement – February 2025
“Stillness in Reflection, Depth in Detail”
Unlike traditional landscapes or whimsical art, my reflective cityscapes offer a unique blend of emotional depth and intellectual engagement. They transform the complexity of urban life into moments of stillness and calm, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and find personal meaning. Perfect for modern spaces and introspective collectors, my work captures the hidden beauty of the city, creating timeless connections that resonate far beyond the surface.
Black holes
Much like the interior of a black hole, the reflections in glass and urban surfaces I paint are annexes to reality - places where the logic of space dissolves. These warped reflections suspend the viewer in a realm where perception bends, inviting them to explore the stillness and complexity beyond the surface.
Vision Statement:
My art offers a mindful escape from the complexities of life, helping viewers slow down, explore their thoughts, and see the beauty in urban environments. I want my work to inspire moments of peace, curiosity, and emotional connection, transforming how individuals experience their surroundings.
Mission Statement:
I create art for those who are curious and introspective, helping them find calm within complexity. My reflective cityscapes are made for individuals who want to slow down, reduce anxiety, and connect more deeply with their environments. Through my paintings, I aim to offer not just visual beauty but emotional healing and intellectual stimulation, guiding people on a journey to see the world—and themselves—with more openness, curiosity, and peace.
1. My Artwork
In a world often defined by speed and distraction, my reflective cityscape paintings offer moments of calm, allowing viewers to reconnect with both their surroundings and themselves. By capturing the delicate and shifting reflections of urban environments, my work creates a space for contemplation and emotional depth. These reflections, distorted yet familiar, encourage an introspective exploration of the beauty that exists within life’s complexities.
I focus on the interactions between light, architecture, and surface, particularly how glass and metal façades warp and transform the city into something both real and imagined. The absence of human figures allows viewers to immerse themselves completely in the scene, offering a deeply personal, meditative experience. The stillness and quiet inherent in the reflections invite a mindful escape, where peace and emotional connection can be found.
2. How I Create My Art
My creative process begins with photographing cityscapes, capturing fleeting moments where light and reflections intertwine. These photos serve as starting points, but the final paintings go beyond mere representation. In my studio, I manipulate perspective and distort elements to mirror the layered, complex nature of human perception and thought. The result is a visual space where clarity and ambiguity coexist.
Through careful layering and the intentional breaking of linear perspective, I create works that encourage viewers to look deeper, to slow down, and to appreciate the hidden beauty in the reflections they often overlook. My aim is to create compositions that evoke both peace and curiosity, offering viewers a moment of quiet reflection amidst the often overwhelming nature of modern life.
3. The ‘Big Ideas’ Behind My Work
At the core of my work is the belief that reflections, much like our thoughts and memories, are transient and ever-changing. They provide a way to experience both the surface and something deeper beneath it. My paintings offer viewers the opportunity to slow down and engage in contemplation, inviting them to explore the tension between perception, memory, and reality.
By focusing on the overlooked beauty of reflected cityscapes, I aim to offer a visual metaphor for finding peace within complexity. These moments of stillness within the bustling urban environment allow for a deeper emotional connection with both the physical world and the inner self. Each painting becomes a space for reflection, where the viewer can explore their thoughts and feelings with openness and curiosity.
4. My Artistic Goals
My goal is to create art that not only offers visual beauty but also emotional healing and intellectual stimulation. I aim to provide viewers with a mindful escape from the chaos of everyday life, encouraging them to slow down, reduce anxiety, and connect more deeply with their environments and themselves.
By presenting reflective cityscapes that transform the familiar into something more profound, I hope to inspire moments of peace and curiosity. My paintings are meant to be spaces where viewers can pause, reflect, and find a sense of calm within life’s complexities. Through this, I aim to transform how individuals experience their surroundings, offering them an opportunity to reconnect with the world and themselves on a deeper, more meaningful level.