Colin Culley

Colour and the natural world have always been strong influences for Colin's work. The relationship between man's endeavours and nature commonly create a starting point for Colin as in the painting of Lockton Church. The amazing array of irregular colours of the windswept leaves and the matrix of branches and twigs in contrast to the clinical and bland form of the church captivated Colin and resulted in this painting.

Most recently Colin has been been working as an artist in residence for Dalby Forest where he has been exploring the relationship that people and animals have had, and continue to have, with forests. Myths, folklore and legends occur across the world wherever there are forests. Nyctohylophobia, the fear of dark wooded areas or forests particularly at night, is a common feature. Tales of strange and eerie noises, mythical creatures, witchcraft, sorcery, transformations, metamorphosis, shapeshifting and petrification. Forests talk to those who listen and you can discover much about yourself during a solitary walk through a forest especially at dawn or dusk, or in the dead of the night if you are bold enough. The people and creatures represented in Colin's current work can all be found within Dalby forest and Dalby Stonewall Maze.