Keith Bayliss | Visual Artist

Keith Bayliss’ work is figurative and expressive – his motif, the human figure in the landscape. He works in a variety of mediums: pencil and ink on paper, oil on canvas, relief printing and small mixed media sculptural constructions. More recently, his work has incorporated a sound element produced by the artist’s son the musician Joe Bayliss, now on their third collaboration.

In his painting he often works on a large scale, with figures almost life size. They inhabit a simple setting; the curve of a hill or a moon occasionally appear but are frequently inhabiting undefined or unrecognisable places. His protagonists are single or in pairs, sometimes interacting, sometimes moving in opposite directions with a bird or animal as companion in this private, intimate, interplay within space. His work is allegorical, influenced by myths, folklore and biblical tales. Alongside his illustrations for many books and poems, he has made images that reference the Annunciation, Hortus Conclusus, Susanna and the Elders, his paintings often populated with angels and pink skinned cherubs.

Keith resists giving explanations for the work he produces. For him the work in itself develops over time:

“I start with an idea but as time passes, the work dictates how, when and if, it has reached a conclusion. It is a dialogue between myself and the developing visual image. I am just the facilitator. The work ‘re-makes’ itself with each new visitor it encounters and the story changes. You the observer/listener complete the work.”

Keith Bayliss | Visual Artist’s tracks

• Swsana by Keith Bayliss in collaboration with Joe Bayliss (2019) by Keith Bayliss | Visual Artist
• Autumn | Keith Bayliss (in collaboration with Joe Bayliss & David Thomas) 2012 by Keith Bayliss | Visual Artist