‘Where Are We Now’: London artist says huge portrait show has taken him on a ‘real journey’

Rod Kitson has been painting sitters of all ages and backgrounds since 2019.

The exhibition is called Where Are We Now and runs from June 23-July 20. Kitson said: “All of my portraits are on show – even the bad ones! It’s about owning my sh*t and being true to myself. We’re used to only seeing an artist’s best work, but I wanted this to be human, flawed, as we all are. It’s about acceptance and honesty.”

Displayed chronologically at the Art of Isolation gallery in Surrey Quays, the oil paintings progress from a flatter paint style and atmosphere to later works that are almost sculptural with their treatment of the thick paint.

“This project has been a real journey, I’ve learned so much about people and painting,” he said. “Initially I was just trying to get a likeness, but it’s become more about the exchange between me and the sitter. The most recent pictures have a spirit beyond what is visible.

“People have opened up more as I’ve become more open. It’s like therapy, for them and for me. The new paintings are more alive because of it. I’m amazed at how generous people have been with their stories and experiences: Nefarious capers, near-death experiences, lost – and found – loves. But what’s said in the portrait room stays in the portrait room.

“I’ve worked through a lot of stuff both in the paintings and personally. These paintings are like a diary showing that journey. It’s saying: That’s where we were – where are we now?

“Mostly, people are positive about the outcome. It’s when someone makes demands it goes wrong, as it adds pressure. Once I was asked not to give someone double chins. Of course, my hand involuntarily went straight to the chin area and started trowelling them on.”

The youngest sitter was 10 years old, the oldest 86, all painted from real life not photos. There is a live element to the exhibition, with the artist painting during the show to add to the current total of 384 and take it to 400 portraits.

And he won’t stop there. “I’ll continue this project for a decade – this exhibition is a halfway point. It’s also the last time I’ll be show them in my gallery, the walls are at full capacity!”

Where Are We Now is on from June 23 to July 20 at The Art of Isolation, Upper Floor, Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, Redriff Road, SE16 7LL. Free entry. Opening times: Tues-Weds: 11-6pm, Thurs-Fri: 12-7pm, Sat: 11-5pm. Sun-Mon: Closed.

For more information visit @RodKitsonArt on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, or go to www.rodkitson.art