Doug Binder 'From the Life'

DOUGLAS BINDER: From the Life

September - October 7th 2007

Doug Binder was heavily involved in the arts scene of London in the 'Swinging Sixties' and was a regular guest at parties thrown by the glitterazzi of the day. He is often seen as the father of pop-psychedelic decor, with the Beatles being his most famous first customers. He was also involved with The Roundhouse, a famous London venue that was host to the biggest musical acts of the 60's and 70's. He turned his back on international status and celebrity commissions in order to pursue his original interest in representative oil painting. Binder is currently the curator at the Dean Clough galleries in Halifax, West Riding, and is one of the site's in-situ artists. He is still an active contributor to the galleries but has so far been very reluctant to sell any more than just a few of his works, until this spring's exhibition at Dean Clough, and this autumn's exhibition at York's edgiest gallery, The ArtSpace.

'From the Life: Recent Paintings by Doug Binder' is The ArtSpace's latest exhibition. It is the gallery's first in a series of solo shows, featuring work by Dean Clough curator Douglas Binder. Gallery co-owner Greg McGee admits he was 'somewhat starstruck.' "We were introduced to Douglas by York man Jake Attree, also a Dean Clough artist. Doug's work is thrilling, and he's a really good guy, which always helps from a curator's point of view. And his pedigree is white hot. This is an artist who was heavily involved in the arts scene of London in the 'Swinging Sixties' and was a regular guest at parties thrown by the glitterazzi of the day. What is there not to like for an arty party ligger like me? He was friends with the Beatles, and has some cracking stories from hanging around with them. He was involved in legendary London music haunt The Roundhouse, designing eye boggling light shows. Do a Wikipedia search on Douglas Binder – he's a hip cat!"

Keen to stress that the exhibition highlights the artist's paintings rather than the celebrity factor, co-owner Ails McGee says "It's true that Doug rubbed shoulders with the Beatles, Hendrix, David Bailey, and exhibited with Salvador Dali et al, and it's all attractively exotic. But my God, the paintings – that's what this exhibition is all about. They're glorious, gorgeous works, seriously collectable. We've got people coming from France especially for the Private Viewing tonight. And why not? Art this good is an international attraction. It's good for York, and it's very good for us"

"We're grateful that we've a civic party here tonight to help open the exhibition," says Greg. " The Lord Mayor and the Mayor's Consort, and the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Wife will be endowing the night with that extra sense of event we've always loved. The 3 week exhibition itself is appropriately autumnal: all refulgent life studies, shot through with gold, bronze and a burnished landscape quality."