At 79, British artist Tony Foster continues to court danger in his relentless pursuit of capturing unspoiled wilderness on paper. A new documentary, directed by David Schendel, follows Foster on his expeditions, revealing the extreme lengths he goes to for his art. His travel companions must sign a contract acknowledging the risk of fatality, and Foster warns that there will be moments when they wish they were elsewhere. Yet, he promises moments of profound joy and unexpected experiences.
Foster, described as 'two toothpicks in a potato' by a longtime acquaintance, has spent over 30 years trekking through remote locations including the American West, Bolivia, and Mount Everest. His self-taught technique produces luminous, airy watercolours with jewel-like clarity. For Foster, painting is a meditative process, focusing on what the landscape imparts to him rather than his own emotions.
The film explores Foster's background: growing up in Lincolnshire, he rebelled against traditional schooling and briefly became homeless in London. However, it does not fully explain his enduring drive. Foster describes himself as a political artist, aiming to document vanishing wildernesses. He speaks of feeling like a 'molecule on a gnat's eyelash' before nature's grandeur, but whether this offers comfort or defiance in old age remains ambiguous.
The documentary loses some momentum when Foster returns to his Cornish studio to complete his paintings, and he appears crestfallen when his works are shipped to galleries. Schendel's cinematography often rivals the beauty of Foster's art, but without the same physical exertion.
