The Other Side 3.8.96 is a painting greatly influenced by Hoyland’s travels. In the 1990s and early 2000s he spent a lot of time in Bali and Jamaica which had a great effect on him. Hoyland states, ‘Bali confirmed realities – of colour, pattern and movement – already known and illuminated by an interior light.’ The radiance and sheer beauty he experienced there made its way into the paintings. ‘I came back with so many ideas, so many archetypal structures that I could try to hang my thoughts and feelings on.’

Hoyland kept a scrapbook of sketches and Polaroids, there are also postcards and newspaper or magazine cuttings, photocopies and colour drawings done on loose sheets of paper. The magpie in him always had a great eye for potential. The central symbol in The Other Side is inspired by graffiti that Hoyland would document in his sketchbook to use in his paintings.