Andy Waite (b.1954) in the UK, studied graphic design at West Sussex College of Art and Design, graduating in 1977. He has worked from his studio in Arundel, West Sussex, for the past 30 years, whilst drawing inspiration for his practice from his many travels to Scotland, Europe and North Africa.
Growing up, Waite felt somewhat confined by what he now calls his “monotone, restrictive and archaic education”. Hence life for him took on new meaning when becoming a young adult, he was finally able to venture into the vibrant cultural scenes of the late 60’s and 70’s and explore his innate artistry through music, poetry and especially painting.
Although Waite’s paintings in essence celebrate the English countryside, over the years he has honed and developed a poetic expressionistic portrayal of the landscapes he encounters. These bountiful images reference nature in all its glory, whether hillsides, inclement weather or flora and fauna, and can even be imaginary though loosely based on a particular place. Nevertheless, he passionately adheres to a nuanced romanticism by virtue of his unique vocabulary of colour, shape and brushstroke. He endeavours to reach beyond the geographical elements he witnesses and focuses instead on the dynamism at play or the joyous exuberance that exists between, say, light refractions and darkness.
Alongside his painting practice, Andy Waite has published books that present his paintings, accompanied by poems, and his works have featured in many glossy magazines including British Vogue, Homes & Interiors and Country Living.
He is represented by a number of galleries across the UK and a selection of recent solo and group exhibitions include: Beloved Earth, Arundel Contemporary, West Sussex (2024); Unmapped, Arundel Gallery Trail, West Sussex (2023); Persephone’s New Dress, Arundel, West Sussex (2023); Art at the Grange, Northington (2022); White Space Art, Totnes, Devon (2017-2022); An Acre of Light, Arundel Contemporary, West Sussex ((2020-2022); Arundel Gallery Trail, West Sussex (1989-2022); Axle Arts, Bath (2018-2019); Affordable Art Fair, Battersea, Will’s Art Warehouse (2019 / 2022); Herbert Hedley, Petersfield, Hampshire (2021); Minster Gallery, Winchester, Hampshire (2011-2019); Highgate Contemporary, London (2018); Claremont Contemporary Art, Sevenoaks, Kent (2014-2017).