The Black Forest in southwestern Germany is a dense forest full of enchantment and legend. It inspired, and continues to inspire, many of the Brothers Grimm’s stories. This time it’s a painting by Stephen Harrison, a British artist who worked as a school teacher in Germany.
We may be in a gallery space in Acton, West London, but we lose ourselves in Harrison’s paintings and are transported from rainy London to the lush Black Forest. A hazy figure can be seen in the landscape. The sight of ballet dancers dancing against the backdrop of a lit-up house is surreal, and what appears to be a bloody creature adds to the intimidating feel.
There’s a reason fairy tales take place in the woods, and Harrison invites you to immerse yourself in the fantastic stories that his work creates. He has experimented with pastels, oils and acrylics, and has taken inspiration from the work of David Blackburn. It allows you to see how the layers bleed into each other. At their most hazy, the work can resemble a Turner or a Monet, with a background image visible upon inspection.
Although there are many contemporary painters who explore landscape painting in a looser style, such as Peter Doig and Harvin Anderson, what makes Harrison’s work unique are its surrealist elements and deep connections to the Black Forest and its history of myth-making and magic. Magical realism is currently on the rise in contemporary art, and as Harrison’s work develops and references to local myths and legends increase, I feel his work could fit perfectly into that zeitgeist.
A lifelong teacher, Harrison discovered art late in life, proving that art can be discovered at any stage of life and that it is never too late for a personal renaissance. It is clear from the works in this show that he has developed a unique style of voice, both in the way he paints and the stories he wants to tell through his work.
His early figurative works are shown as a contrast to his later works, and while there are stylistic similarities to his later works, it is clear that his work is moving in a different direction. He does not rule out the possibility of returning to representation as his style develops, as all great painters find their voice.
It’s always exciting to see painters refine their style, but you never know if we’re getting there, or if their work will take a radical turn and take us in a new direction. Just as Stephen Harrison’s paintings take us on a journey into the Black Forest, we also see the development of his journey as an artist. Let’s see where both take us.
Stephen Harrison’s paintings were exhibited at Acton’s W3 Gallery from 15th to 30th January 2026.
All images are copyright of the artist.
Source: Our Culture – ourculturemag.com
