Paul Ford won his first art prize at the age of five in a poster competition then, over time, continued to acquire skill in understanding and interpreting the complexities of composition and perspective.  Paul's father, a cine' cameraman, nurtured this ability and encouraged him to design small sets which, on many occasions, he would incorporate into his own special effects work at his studio.  At the age of fourteen Paul entered the British film industry as a trainee Technician.  He studied Animation/Set Design/Background/Matte Painting with a London-based cartoon film company, and after two years moved into major studio film production as a camera assistant.

At eighteen Paul entered the Royal Navy for three years National Service, after which he resumed his career in the film industry as a freelance cine-cameraman.  At the same time, Paul also continued his close association with various art groups with whom he enjoyed the artistic freedom to further develop his natural ability to express - on a surrealistic level - his view of the world.  Paul eventually joined the Pinewood Studios Special Effects team, being involved in matte painting and process photography, and personally undertook several animation projects for Walt Disney Film productions. 

Later, as a member of a 6-man photographic team, he was sent by Republic Film Production to Kenya to photograph big game in the wild for film library purposes.  Paul remained in Africa for a further five years under contract to develop and operate a government film unit, but he continued to pursue his first love, painting, which he did for some time before returning to England.  Paul then spent five years in Southern Spain, away from the rat race, painting professionally. 

This broad spectrum of human experience has equipped Paul with the ability of being able - in his creative style of work - to easily sidestep reality: an essential element of the surrealist genre.  

Paul has sold his work through numerous Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and London art galleries, and also to private patrons in Spain and the USA.  Now working from his studio on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia, he maintains an output of controversial and unique works compatible with the intellectually recognised and much sought after surrealist genre.

K. MacDonald, BBehavSc

PAST AND PRESENT CLIENTS/GALLERIES/COMMISSIONS:

GALLERIES

Australia:

     Sydney -                    The Seascape Gallery
                                         Geo. Styles Art Gallery
                                         Studio Gallery Three
                                         Centrepoint Gallery
                                         Pickwick Gallery

     Blue Mountains -      Hat Hill Gallery

     Melbourne -              Artistry Fine Art
                                         Kerry Anne's Fine Arts Consultancy and Brokerage

     Adelaide -                  Hill-Smith Fine Art
                                         Cardone Art Gallery
                                         Tomlinson Fine Art Gallery
                                         Crystal Colour
                                         Greenhill Galleries
                                         Artistic License Gallery and Studio

United Kingdom:

     London -                   Marylebone Art Gallery
                                        Bassey Fine Art Gallery
                                        Broadway Art Gallery
                                        Mimms Fine Art

Kenya:

     Nairobi -                   Equator Studio and Gallery
                                       Nahji Art Emporium
                                       Art Restoration and Trading Co

Spain:

     Malaga -                  Malsec Art House
                                       Malaga Art Interiors

PRINCIPAL COMMISSIONS

     Cotlow Expedition Collection
     Duke of Bedford
     Mount Kenya Expedition Nairobi University
     East Africa Press Club
     Department of Information Nairobi
     British National Studios