Crossword Paintings

Philip Bradshaw, ACW004 reverse 90° shift (magenta)

'ACW004 reverse 90° shift (magenta)', 2015. Acrylic on canvas, 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Study for CW1198 90° shift (magenta)

'Study for CW1198 90° shift (magenta)', 2015. Gouache on paper, 50 x 70.5 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Study for CC1521 90° shift (magenta)

'Study for CC1521 90° shift (magenta)', 2015. Gouache on paper, 50 x 70.5 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Study for CW1200 reverse 90° shift (magenta)

'Study for CW1200 reverse 90° shift (magenta)', 2015. Gouache on paper, 50 x 70.5 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW315 (Black Border), 2014

'CW315 (Black Border)', 2014. Acrylic on canvas, 71 x 71cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, Untitled diptych, 2014

Untitled diptych, 2014. Acrylic on canvas, 71 x 71cm each.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, Untitled, 2013

Untitled, 2013. Oil on canvas, 23 x 23cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW445 (WHITE), 2013

'CW445 (WHITE)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW443 (BLACK), 2013

'CW443 (BLACK)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Installation view. 'ACW004 (BLUE)' and 'ACW006 (PINK)'.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW004 (BLUE), 2013

'ACW004 (BLUE)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 81 x 81 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW006 (PINK), 2013

'ACW006 (PINK)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 81 x 81 cm.

Installation view. 'ACW003 (GREEN, BLACK)', 'ACW001 (PINK, BLACK)' and 'ACW002 (BLUE, BLACK)'.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW003 (GREEN, BLACK), 2013

'ACW003 (GREEN, BLACK)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW001 (PINK, BLACK), 2013

'ACW001 (PINK, BLACK)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW002 (BLUE, BLACK), 2013

'ACW002 (BLUE, BLACK)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Installation View: 'CW288', 'CW296', 'CW315', 'CW286', 'ACW005 (YELLOW)'.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW288, 2013

'CW288', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW296, 2013

'CW296', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW315, 2013

'CW315', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CW286, 2013

'CW286', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 71 x 71 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, ACW005 (YELLOW), 2013

'ACW005 (YELLOW)', 2013. Acrylic on canvas. 81 x 81 cm.

Philip Bradshaw, Crossword paintings, CC270 and CC590, diptych, 2012-3

'CC270' and 'CC590', diptych, 2012-3. Acrylic on canvas, 122 x 61 cm.

Crossword Paintings

When you extract the lines, the numbers and the clues from a normal British crossword puzzle you are left with a black and white geometric structure that complies with the main rules of crossword design (yes, there are some) but has no residual crossword function. Its original meaning has been removed.

When you reproduce it in paint, it looks like an ‘abstract’ painting. But there are none of the philosophical underpinnings often associated with ‘abstract’ painting. At its heart it remains an everyday newspaper puzzle. And moreover, one designed by someone else.

These are the concerns I was curious to explore with these works.

Click the left arrow (bottom right) to see crossword-based wall paintings.