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Chris Alford
 Every painting is a journey. A journey that begins with no clear conception of the end result. From the first mark on the blank canvas begins the process of building an image that ultimately will have a distinctive character of its own and contain within it a historical record of the process of creativity. The journey does not stop there. A new relationship begins between the painting and those who come to view it. Without exhibition the painting remains incomplete So quotes Alfora as reported in Diario do Sul. Perhaps for Alfora the journey is near competion. Art, for him, started as a hobby in mid life leading to an honours degree in Fine Art at Staffordshire University. Further studies Wolverhampton and Manchester Metropolitan University took him to Masters level. He also taught at local colleges and at Staffordshire University. Exhibitions in England included prestigious locations such as Manchester Academy, The Royal West of England Academy, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican in London as well as with The Printmakers Council. The introduction to art for Alfora was the discovery of J M W Turner in the Tate gallery, London. Influenced by the study of light, of which Turner was the master, the work of Alfora is complimented by a palette based on the colours used by Rembrandt, Delacroix and Bonnington. Brought into this, through studies based on derelict buildings and a continuing interest in architectural structures, is the depiction of line and structure of buildings within a field of colour. The breaking of the boundaries came with the discovery of the work of Raul Duffy and John Piper which, for Alfora, brought brighter colour through which the subject takes on a translucence allowing the viewer freedom of interpretation. The move from semi-representational landscape to abstract symbolism was a natural one. The majority of the paintings of Alfora have a historical content. The scenes of Portugal, from 1998 to 2002, are based on places of historical interest and often painted in an abstract style yet containing symbolic representation. The later work used this concept to symbolically represent ancient historical places in an abstract manner. From this developed the more abstract work of the last few years which forms the bulk of recent exhibitions. The use of paint and collage produces a vibrancy of colour and form which relates to the imagery and culture of the places which inspired the work. He has had a number of individual shows since moving to Portugal and currently is a member of “Blank Canvas” a self-help group of painters that work with other artists to exhibit and promote quality art work. The group consists of three members – Alfora (Chris Alford), Charlie Holt, and Robert Ford. The group has a history of exhibiting with other professionals including Antonio Couvinha, Jessica Dunn, Valerie Bornand, Costa Pinhero, Vincent de Brito, Paul Clifford, Guilherme Parente, Pedro Pinto Coelho and José Delgado Martin. Over the past five years they have exhibited widely in the Algarve and also in other regions and countries.
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