Alex Hutton's artistic vision captures the essence of rollercoasters and grand waterslides through his intricate oil paintings, despite his personal aversion to the thrill of riding them. "The heights and the sensation of free-fall are too unsettling for me to enjoy," he admits. This unique perspective enhances the mysterious, uninhabited quality of his work, which emphasizes the architectural beauty of these amusement park structures.
In his art, Hutton deliberately omits the riders, focusing instead on the forms, lines, and spatial configurations of the attractions. By placing these undulating structures against minimal or abstract backgrounds, he creates a sense of disorientation regarding their scale. While these rides typically evoke feelings of nostalgia and youthful exuberance, Hutton's portrayal strips them down to their stark, engineered essence.
Hutton finds a captivating absurdity in theme park rides, describing them as a blend of excitement and fear. "These structures exhibit elegant yet formidable movements, characterized by their curves, rhythm, and vibrant colors," he explains. "They represent a significant investment of materials, time, and engineering, all for a fleeting moment of thrill within a controlled space."
His artistic journey is influenced by early 2000s PC games like Sim City and Rollercoaster Tycoon, where the aesthetics of world-building fascinated him, particularly from a bird's-eye view. His paintings extend beyond mere rollercoasters and waterslides to include elements like boardwalks, bridges, and even prehistoric anatomy.
Many of Hutton's creations draw inspiration from real-world structures. For instance, "Foment" is modeled after the Super Whooper waterslide in Kobe, Japan, which was dismantled after a major earthquake in 1995. Another piece, "Roil," is inspired by Meryal Waterpark in Qatar, home to the world's largest waterslide. Hutton reflects, "It's astonishing to think these structures ever existed. I aim to encapsulate the absurdity and boldness of their design."
While Hutton values the formal qualities of his work over recognizable locations, he prioritizes movement and proportion in his compositions. "I seek a rhythm, a structure, and a color combination that invites contemplation," he states. "Finding something unexpected or viewed from a new perspective can be challenging but rewarding."
Two of his untitled pieces are set to be showcased at Main Projects in Richmond, Virginia, opening on April 30. Additionally, Hutton is preparing for a solo exhibition at SHRINE in New York next year.