The Lives of Others - Vincent Kamp

His new collection is once again a reflection of some of his personal encounters with the lives of others. As he says: “I like to paint people that you don’t always see walking down the street. They live and work outside the normal hours. You are unlikely to see these people in a suit or on an iPhone.” Heseekshismusesout, movingarounddifferent areas, meeting people whose alternative lifestyles interest him both as an individual and as an artist. IntermsofKamp’sstyleandtechniquehowever, there isastrong connection with a more familiar, but no less fascinating cast of characters – the virtuoso portraitists of the Dutch Golden Age including Frans Hals and Rembrandt. Looking at these works, it is impossible to ignore their influence in the level of detail, the mastery of light and shade and the sheer power of the subject to enthral and mesmerise the viewer. In fact, his family come from Northern Holland, close to Amsterdam, and his intimate knowledgeof theseartistswas integral tohisowndevelopment.