* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.
Born in Detroit and raised near Nashville, TN, Philip Saxby started painting at the age of 5 under the guidance of his grandfathers, a self-taught Mexican oil painter and a European wood sculptor. Both nurtured Philip’s innate passion for expression through art. His artistic family heritage provided Philip the opportunity to explore different cultures’ traditions and blend those elements into a singular original and visually engaging style.
His working-class upbringing instilled the concept of “The Common Man”, ordinary people with machines, a concept expressed through many of his pieces. Although his work to date ranges from portraits, landscapes, complex allegories with often visually disturbing concepts, he consistently explores psychological experiences. Incorporating the elements of artists such as Nicola Verlato, Valerio Carruba, and Vladimir Cora with nuances of work by Edouard Manet and Francis Bacon, his work blends techniques and forces audiences to look. Once viewers look, Philip’s technical skill captivates their attention and forces them to feel the experience. As a result, viewers often walk away from his art with conflicting emotions. Observers frequently express how “disturbing”, “alluring”, “calming”, and “visually addictive” his pieces are.
After years experimenting with various mediums including acrylic, sculpture, drawing, and mixed media, Philip is currently using oil on wood, a tribute to the work of his grandfathers. Philip Saxby holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Austin Peay State University with an emphasis on painting and drawing. Phillip’s work has been displayed in London and several US cities. He has been featured in numerous shows and publications.
