Ian Whyte – Open the Eyes of My Heart

I am an artist based in the Wasps Inverness Creative Academy working mainly in oil and acrylic mediums producing figurative art, portraits and landscapes. A principle theme in my work is to reflect human relationships and emotions through narratives in the context of current social issues such as immigration, conflict and ‘fear of the other’.

I paint both from life, and from photographs which enable me to explore fleeting situations, but with a preference for working with life models. I am constantly experimenting with new inspirations and artistic translations in an attempt to unsettle and excite the viewer and maintain ambiguity in the narrative.

My artistic influences range from Rembrandt, Velazquez and John Singer Sargeant, to Lucien Freud, Andrew Wyeth and Jenny Saville. In my most recent work I attempt to capture the inner essence of each subject in a simple, sensual and compelling way.

From my previous experience as an eye surgeon I strive to capture the depth of eyes and gaze showing the subjects soul and deep thoughts. I also work to commissions, have exhibited in the Highlands and throughout Scotland and spent lockdown painting portraits of 36 NHS doctors and nurses for #portraitsfornhsheroes which featured in the recently published book of the same name.