Artist George Shaw - Interview at Baltic Gateshead

For this private tour, artist George Shaw shows me around his new exhibition at BALTIC, Gateshead.
The paintings are from a series he has worked on for the last 15 years, and depict the 'unseen' spaces of his youth, growing up in a small post-war estate on the outskirts of Coventry. The extraordinary works are made with everyday model-makers paints, giving them a glossy sheen and a distinctive palette.
In an intimate interview, Shaw discusses sadness, memory, being uncool at art school and why his painting table reminds him of 'Last of the Summer Wine'.
The film was made for BALTIC and shown by guardian.co.uk
'The Sly and Unseen Day', BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, until 15 May 2011.

[@bhamacuk]

What I love about this guy, besides the insanely brilliant paintings, is his warmth and honesty as a genuine artist. When I say genuine, I mean there's absolutely no pretentiousness whatsoever. There's no arty rubbish when he talks about his work. What is all the more striking is that he has come out of the Royal Collage without adopting the sort of pseudo-intellectual pretensions that can rub off on some artists.

[@DSDMovies]

I like the last line a lot. Being embarrassed means something important is happening.

[@yardelli]

Terrific Paintings George....... Had a few drinks in the Hawthorn Tree myself ;o) (Fellow Coventrian)

[@Janet1941]

What a lovely man, and what inspired and refreshing art.
Please start painting Ilfracombe soon

[@roly478]

a great guy and a great artist
saw his work at the baltic gateshead.
such a shame he didn't win the Turner.
THE REV!

[@inkerlot]

awesome work ... love it :)

[@phantomdoodler]

@rodge125 And he looks like a nice guy, which is refreshing.