Bagheera

Describing his work as “psychedelic wildlife painting”, Robert Oxley paints from the heart. Like the abstract artist Jackson Pollock, his work is shaped by spontaneity and free association.

He usually begins by blocking in shapes for the eyes and mouth before cutting in the form of the animals and building up colour with successively thicker paint. His signature drip-effect is created by letting the paint run free down the canvas.

This piece is inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 collection of short stories, The Jungle Book. Robert adds: “Bagheera is my favourite character. His role in the story is to return Mowgli to his village, and I like the idea of an animal guiding the boy back to his rightful place in the world.” 

Find out how he makes his signature drip effect here.