Description

Senna JPS by Paul Oz

Paul Oz is an explosive British portrait artist – focused on the maximum 3D impact and energy in thick oil paint. Well known for travelling the world live painting with Formula One – recently Paul has also created work with Team Sky on the Tour of Britain, Chelsea FC to celebrate their 2017 title win, and for Lamborghini at the launch of their Urus. Headline commissions include for Muhammad Ali’s 70th, by Sir Bradley Wiggins to mark his 2012 Olympic title, by Star Trek to celebrate 50 years, and a portrait of Bruno Mars presented to him in Las Vegas to mark his 24k Magic World tour.

Within F1 Paul has live painted for Scuderia Ferrari VIP’s in Monaco, with Mercedes AMG Petronas in Barcelona, and has created several portraits for Jenson Button – including one live with McLaren in Abu Dhabi at his last race to celebrate his career. Also creating work personally for Lewis Hamilton, Sir Jackie Stewart, Pirelli – and by both Ayrton Senna and James Hunts families to mark 20 years. Recent shows include ’80’s Kid’ in London, The Art of Star Wars, sell out shows at Abu Dhabi, Mexico City and Singapore F1 weeks. The only artist shown in every Paddock Club on the F1 calendar worldwide.

I strive for the impression of explosive energy, movement, expression and the maximum in 3D effect when I paint – several techniques combining for the end result. Every one is large scale and around 2cm thick oils in places (yes, I get through a fair amount of the stuff), usually on board for a completely flat background so that the texture of the subject really comes out at you. Recently using home made neon paint too which really is a visual punch in the face, and with a team of incredible photographers so we can reproduce the effect for limited editions. I’m fascinated with how perceptions change with distance – the biggest unintentional compliment I’ve had was that my work looks like a photo from a distance, and porridge close up. Love that!

A lifelong sportsman… many of my ‘eureka moments’ come on hours stuck inside my own head out on the bike. Others from the oft completely random brainstorming over dinner or hiking with the Mrs (and PA) Ashley. There’s no such thing as a crazy idea any more….. which in itself is the most inspiring and empowering thing if you truly believe it.

Ayrton Senna da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese: 21 March 1960 – 1 May 1994) was a Brazilian racing driver who won the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991, and who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time. He died in an accident leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix driving for Williams Racing.

Senna began his motorsport career in karting, moved up to open-wheel racing in 1981, and won the 1983 British Formula Three Championship. He made his Formula One debut with Toleman-Hart in 1984, before moving to Lotus-Renault the following year and winning six Grands Prix over the next three seasons. In 1988, he joined Frenchman Alain Prost at McLaren-Honda. Between them, they won all but one of the 16 Grands Prix that year, and Senna claimed his first World Championship. Prost claimed the championship in 1989, and Senna his second and third championships in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, the Williams-Renault combination began to dominate Formula One. Senna nonetheless managed to finish the 1993 season as runner-up, winning five races and negotiating a move to Williams in 1994.

Senna has often been voted as the best and most influential Formula One driver of all time in various motorsport polls. He was recognised for his qualifying speed over one lap, and from 1989 until 2006 he held the record for most pole positions. He was also acclaimed for his wet weather performances, such as the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix, the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix, and the 1993 European Grand Prix. He holds a record six victories at the Monaco Grand Prix, and is the fifth-most successful driver of all time in terms of race wins. Senna courted controversy throughout his career, particularly during his turbulent rivalry with Prost. In the Japanese Grands Prix of 1989 and 1990, each of which decided the championship of that year, collisions between Senna and Prost determined the eventual winner.