I always love looking at paintings that have an intense photorealistic quality, and Simon Hennessey’s work (spotted via Faith is Torment) is the perfect example. “I do not adhere to a true mimetic depiction of a photograph, I use the camera only as a source to assist me with gathering information,” Hennessey writes. “My process of adding or removing detail, altering depth, adding textures, form and colour values and their relationship within the painting, allows me to create an illusion of a reality not seen in any photographic source.” The added layer of Hennessey’s work is that we get to see the world through the reflected lenses of the subjects’ sunglasses; they’re surrounded by beauty, easily identifiable landmarks, and, at times, a phantom photographer.
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey
Image credit: Simon Hennessey