Julia Brooker paints on aluminium because she was seduced by the way it reflects light off its metal surface through veils of transparent colour. She revels in the sumptuousness of paint as it sits on the cool surface and is driven in the attempt to make beautiful paintings.

Some of her paintings have the instant appeal of vivid jewel like colours. Others are more subtle and layer veils of sepia, black, white and grey. Increasingly she combines drawing with painting to make multi layered paintings.

‘When the viewer gets close I hope they will enjoy the tiny accidental droplets that fall, the ‘hand-made-ness’ of the paintings. Closeness should offer up more, a desire to touch the surface, a stillness.’

Julia Brooker studied ceramics before she became a painter. Those luscious crystalline glazed surfaces like cake icing on coarse clay, and her love of gorgeous textiles are both reflected in the surface qualities of her paintings. She finds ways to weave layers of paint and textures together. Julia is always pleased by the way people want to touch her paintings to see how they feel.