Stop

"Stop" belongs to an extensive series of paintings that form the central theme of the artist's early career. Taking their dimensions from various hospital doors, they appear more authoritarian than his other brightly coloured canvases, but in fact, still deal directly with the paint surface. "These congealed surfaces are hard to negotiate, either physically or mentally. Not only do they refuse to perform the traditional function of paintings- to open a window onto an imaginary world- but they slam shut in your face. The surfaces are like a protective shield. They prevent access; the door to the interior remains emphatically closed. The gloss is so shiny that it acts as a mirror rather than a window, reflecting back the environment and returning your gaze to itself." (S. Kent, 'Fiona Rae - Gary Hume', The Saatchi Gallery, unpaged).