|
The entry of a selected artist from the database |
Database Entry
To reach the Artist Page for the artist shown below, click on the artist's name or thumbnail image |
John Lancaster |
| Biography: CONCEPTS, IDEAS AND THEMES
Artistic invention of sacred and religious themes in Painting, Sculpture and Architecture have been a constant influence in my own paintings and drawings since 1986. In 1997 this interest broadened to include Islamic and (more recently) Japanese sacred influences alongside the strong Western cultural influences particularly of Baroque and Medieval Art.
The series titled Sacred Interiors was initially inspired by a visit to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain. The Islamic design with its emphasis on elaborate decoration, symmetry, inventive use of interior and exterior space, the importance of geometry, and the creative use of water in all of its forms, have all helped to inform my work.
Series 4 - the most recent series of paintings and drawings has evolved yet again moving from the busy 'Islamic' inspired work to a more quieter and minimal expression informed through the writings and philosophical interests of Zen Buddhism. In particular the Zen Gardens and Temples of Kyoto.
PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES
Most of my work uses traditional art materials. Oil on canvas (paintings) and condensed charcoal on paper (drawings). In the Sacred Interiors series (1997-00), 1 -3, I introduced stencils and spray paint into the work both on paper and canvas. The spray paint was a commercially produced acrylic paint, and the stencils I designed and made. This method relied on layering and multipling the design, creating a busy composition resulting in a complex spatial construction.
Series 4, from 2000 onwards, the materials have returned to oil on canves, and charcoal on paper, to develop a set of paintings mainly large scale 160 x 320cm (largest so far) and are constructed with a small regulated brush mark and a subtly changing closely controlled palette. There is a concentration of gold, gold/silver, pigment used in these compositions which creates a reflective, constantly shifting surface in relation to the lighting conditions in which the paintings are exhibited.
INFLUENCES AND AIMS
Geometry, location, mapping, Islamic Design and Architecture, deconstruction
CAREER PATH
My interest in the artistic invention of sacred and religious themes began in a serious manner in 1986 during my studies as a painting scholar at the British School at Rome. The two years in the studio, combined with the contact with fellow artists, architects, archaeologists, scholars and historians in the school created a deeper understa... to see complete biography, click on artists name Country: UK Birthyear: 1953 Galleries: Selected Galleries
2003
Residence Show, Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
2003
Made in England, Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
2003
Sacred Interiors 1997 - 2003, APT Gallery, London
2001
Trinity House Gallery, De Montfort University, Leicester
2000
Sacred Interiors, Part two Krefelder KunstvereinKrefeld, Germany
2000
Cheltenham drawing openCheltenham and Sierre, Switzerland
1999
Sacred Interiors, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
1999
Interiors, Beatrice Royal Contemporary Gallery, Southampton
1998
Beatrice Royal Contemporary Gallery
1997
30 Years of Fellows, Cheltenham Art Gallery
1997
Histories, Bonlieu Arts Centre, Annecy, France
1996
Italian Connections, Vicarage Gallery, Newcastle
1995
Beyond The Surface, Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester
1995
Affinities, Kunsterhaus, Göttingen, Germany
1995
Affinties, Islington Arts Factory, London
1995
Heaven and Earth, Axiom Arts Centre, Cheltenham
1994
Beyond the Surface, International Arts Festival, Melbu, Norway
1990
Bergen Drawings, Vestlandets Kunstakademi, Bergen, Norway
1989
Benjamin Rhodes Gallery, London Awards: 1982 Winchester School of Art - Drawing Prize
1986-88 Rome Scholar in Painting
British school at Rome
1988-89 Fellow in Painting
Gloucestershire College of Art and Technology
1992 South West Open Prize Winner
1992 South West Arts Project Award
Working in Northern Norway
1993 Malvern Drawing Open - Drawing Award Media: oil Style: abstract Subjects: light and color |
|
|