Painter Ben McLaughlin's sober cityscapes bring to mind a contemporary update of Edward Hopper, all dark corners and abandoned, empty spaces, with cinematic framing and bold use of light and shadow.
There's also a strong landscape sensibility, as if the Group of Seven had swapped their rich Canadian wilderness for the scuffed tarmac and commercial banality of downtown, anywheresville.
Although given to slightly portentous titles drawn from contemporary headlines, McLaughlin juxtaposes normality with the horror - and banality - of global events and a rich painterly sense.
INFORMATION
The Paintings of Ben McLaughlin, James Hamilton (Merrell, £29.95)
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