Emphasis on painted shapes of light and space, contrasting against areas of bold color enables his subjects to glimmer in the liminal territory between figuration and abstraction. Entrusted with keys to palaces, sporting arenas, battle fields, and rugged outposts, Jeremy Houghton (b.1974) is an artist in residence who has accepted invitations to paint at some of the world’s most extraordinary places. From behind closed doors his work reveals what most people never get to see. His residencies, which have spanned two decades, include a number of royal, military and sporting communities, from those at Windsor Castle for HM Queen Elizabeth II to the Wimbledon championships, America’s Cup and the competitors at the 2012 London Olympic Games. These tonal works use a reduced palette to enhance the representation of movement and nostalgia. Houghton’s flamingo collection started over twenty years ago as a residency and has become a life-long study. The Oppenheimer family (de Beers) opened the gates to their private game reserve in South Africa from where his paintings were created and used to raise awareness of these captivating, endangered birds. A recent visit to the Kalahari Desert has inspired a new collection elevated with gold leaf as a comment on the rarity of the species. Ultimately, Houghton paints eye-catching, untold stories, favoring uplifting, insightful themes of perception and reality. The subjects that characterize these scenes are illuminated by his focus on the spaces in which subjects rule, compete, defend and often take flight. ARTIST RESIDENCIES2019 - Artist in Residence at the Scouts for Bear Grylls2018 - Artist in Residence for the Centenary of the RAF 2017 - Championship Artist at Wimbledon 2017 - Artist in Residence for Sir Ben Ainslie Racing at the America’s Cup2016 - Official Artist for the James Hunt F1 40th Anniversary2015 - Artist in Residence at Goodwood for Lord March2014 - Artist in Residence at Windsor Castle for HM The Queen 2013 - Artist in Residence at Highgrove for HRH The Prince of Wales 2013 - Tour Artist for the Aston Martin Centenary Tour 2012 - Official artist for the London 2012 Olympic Games 2011 - Artist in Residence at Kamfer’s Dam (Flamingo Conservation) 2009 - Artist in Residence at St James’s Palace for The Gentlemen at Arms