{"product_id":"james-donovan-wordsmith-2021","title":"James Donovan - Wordsmith, 2021","description":"\u003cp\u003eA wonderfully atmospheric narrative painting by Welsh artist \u003cstrong\u003eJames Donovan (b.1974)\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem\u003eWordsmith\u003c\/em\u003e presents a lone figure approaching a doorway cut into the pages of a monumental open book, with scattered handwritten sheets forming a path into the light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe scene is dreamlike but carefully structured, combining a recognisable figure with oversized symbolic objects and a strong sense of story. The book becomes both landscape and architecture, while the illuminated doorway suggests escape, discovery and imagination without forcing a single interpretation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDetails\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e James Donovan (Welsh, b.1974)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wordsmith\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2021\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMedium:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acrylic\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Initialled lower right; signed, titled and dated verso\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtwork size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5 × 24 cm (6.5 × 9.4 in)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFramed size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 31 × 39 cm (12.2 × 15.4 in)\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVerso:\u003c\/strong\u003e Inscribed “Wordsmith”, “Acrylic”, signed and dated 2021\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bears Fosse Gallery label to the reverse\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very good condition\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mounted, framed and glazed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Subject\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNarrative and symbolism sit at the heart of Donovan's work. His published biography describes paintings inspired by escapism and by a mixture of personal and universal symbolism used to create engaging narratives. \u003cem\u003eWordsmith\u003c\/em\u003e fits naturally within this practice, with the monumental book, handwritten pages and solitary figure creating the feeling of a story being entered rather than simply illustrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Artist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames Donovan was born in Aberdare, Wales, in 1974. His exhibiting career began while he was still a degree student, and he received the Sir Leslie Joseph Young Artist of the Year award in 1998.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDonovan's work is closely associated with narrative, memory and symbolism. His paintings combine recognisable figures and objects with imaginative shifts of scale and setting. His work has been exhibited widely and he is represented by established galleries including Fosse Gallery and The Albany Gallery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Crag Bank Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54475706761554,"sku":"CBA-358","price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1078\/0904\/6866\/files\/100227808-0.jpg?v=1788197504","url":"https:\/\/cragbankart.co.uk\/products\/james-donovan-wordsmith-2021","provider":"Crag Bank Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}