Shapes move in and out of their background as the human form is exaggerated and captured in essence by this exciting modern artist being displayed at Whitewall gallery. ‘The Violence of my Love’ is ethereal, powerful and fiery, arousing a curiosity in the viewer to dig deeper. ‘Sugar Cookie’ is an ice blue wonder celebrating the best part of a muffin, the iced part on the top, that illustrates the warm wit and cool specificity of the work on show.

‘Midnight Snack’ borders on voyeuristic as the female subject cannot contain the lust within for food or more. Everything explodes out of Todd White’s paintings on stretched canvas. This observer of human behaviour picks snap shots that are brief and telling as real life is viewed with a microscopic honesty. The eyes in ‘Baton Rouge’ seem smoky and thick but this simplifies the complexity of choices the Artist makes in shaping the faces.The emotions of his work swirl around the focused eyes of the subjects, who are boldly looking out at the viewer. None of these subjects appear to be bothered by being looked at.Some look like they are posing whereas others are in a moment of action such as playing cards. Each composition oozes self identity. In an era where everyone is seeking to be heard and seen, Todd White’s paintings are timely.

A number of the paintings have been sold already after the initial viewing, however they can still be enjoyed at the High Street Gallery while the exhibition lasts.The vivid tones and exaggerated forms of the portraits make each one a delight to embrace. The confidence with which White paints in bold colour, for example in ‘Rocket Queen’, puts a spring in the step of this viewer as I head back up along High Street.The proof of a resonant artist is whether the work changes how the world is seen and the passers by on the pavement appear dysmorphic if only for a brief second. It is lovely to feel White’s world expand out of the Whitewall gallery and into the city.