Brendan Neiland (born 23 October 1941 in Lichfield, Staffordshire) is an English artist best known for his paintings of reflections in modern city buildings. In 1992 he was elected into the Royal Academy (RA).
Professor Neiland's interpretations of city life have gained him a reputation as one of Britain's foremost painters and printmakers. His use of light and pictorial structure, using a spray-gun technique developed at the Royal College of Art, has seen Neiland likened to Georges Braque and Johannes Vermeer. His work is widely exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide including, in Britain, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Tate Gallery London, The Collections of the British Council and the Arts Council of Great Britain. He is represented by the Redfern Gallery and has had numerous shows internationally, including at the Galerie Belvedere in Singapore, who represent him in Singapore and the Far East.
When I first looked at this picture I thought it was a photograph. Neiland's use of distortion creates interest and depth in what potentially is a very uniformed building. It also gives place and time to the building and I like the combination of old and new in the reflection of the gothic building in the glass. There is also a degree of dynamism in the picture as I can imagine the reflection undulating in the sun not dissimilar to a reflection in water. I think this technique is a really effective way of portraying the everyday beauty and art that surrounds us and often goes unnoticed.