Devoid of life, the paintings are lent a surprising warmth by Davies’s striking colour combinations – Hockney he may not be, but there is no denying that what Davies does, he does remarkably well. Wallpaper Magazine, Online 2009
Primarily based on American and Australian Modern Architecture and treated in a contemporary manner the latest series of works by Sydney artist Paul Davies features the use of delicate hand-cut paper stencils that provide a perspective, content and detail within a painterly abstract environment. These stencils are created using both Davies’ own and researched photographs.
On return from a recent study exploration of California, Davies work continues to focus on American Modernist Architecture and its profound influence on Australian Modernist design. Davies research tour included visits to Schindler and Eames Houses in Los Angeles where both architects experimented in new ways of appreciating Americas West coast environment. Davies then traveled East to Palm Springs where he visited among others, Richard Neutra’s iconic Kauffman House and Frank Sinatra’s infamous holiday retreat. These buildings constructed in the 1940’s and 50’s feature in Davies paintings and remain vacant of people to reinforce the original idea of its architect, allowing the viewer to experience an “open plan living” ideal. Davies work looks at both the restored and forgotten modernist buildings in a way relevant to today rather than isolating them in their time. In creating this unique style of landscape painting, Paul Davies sights inspiration from some of the world's greatest living artists such as Peter Doig, David Hockney and David Schnell.
Subsequently over the past three years Davies has been commissioned by government and private clients including BYL Companies Philadelphia U.S.A., Historic Houses Trust Australia, Stocklands Australia and Wilson & Hill Architects New Zealand to interpret particular iconic Modern buildings across America and other countries. Recent publications include Art & Australia, Art World, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Belle, Wish, Inside Out, Urbis, and Yen magazine as part of the China Heights Collective – an artist run studio space and gallery located in Sydney’s Surry Hills where Davies has worked since it began in 2004.