John Lancaster

EDUCATION

1953 Born, Derby UK
1978-79 Medway College of Design, Kent
1979-82 Winchester School of Art - BA in Fine Art Painting (1st class)
1983-86 Royal College of Art - MA in Painting

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2003 Sacred Interiors 1997 - 2003. APT Gallery, London
2002 Sacred Interiors #4 Dynamic Silence. Trinity House Gallery, Leicester
2000 Sacred Interiors Part two. Krefelder Kunstverein, Krefeld, Germany
1999 Sacred Interiors, Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery
1995 Heaven and Earth, Axiom Arts Centre, Cheltenham
1995 Beyond The Surface, Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester
1994 Beyond the Surface, International Arts Festival, Melbu, Norway
1990 Bergen Drawings, Vestlandets Kunstakademi, Bergen, Norway
1989 Benjamin Rhodes Gallery, London

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2003 Made in England. Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
2003 Residence Show. Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan
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 Affinities, Kunsterhaus, Gottingen, Germany
Islington Arts Factory, London
Pittville Gallery, Cheltenham School of Art

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 understanding of the relationship between my work and Western art, and to the world. The work during this time focused upon Baroque Art as a primary influence. In 1997, after a brief visit to Granada and Seville, I discovered the beautiful Alhambra Palace. The Moorish Palace greatly impressed me and helped to broaden my interest to encompass wider cultural references.

In June 2003 I exhibited in Kyoto, Japan, spending six weeks as an Artist in Residence at a University in Japan. The residency allowed me to research and experience the Sacred Gardens and Temples of Kyoto, in preparation to develop my continuing interest in this area. In September 2005, I will be exhibiting in Australia.

2003 Made in England
Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan

2003 Residence Show
Maronie Gallery, Kyoto, Japan

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 Affinities,
Kunsterhaus, Gottingen, Germany

Islington Arts Factory, London
Pittville Gallery, Cheltenham School of Art

2003 Sacred Interiors 1997 - 2003.
APT Gallery, London

2002 Sacred Interiors #4 Dynamic Silence.
Trinity House Gallery, Leicester

2000 Sacred Interiors Part two
Krefelder Kunstverein, Krefeld, Germany

1999 Sacred Interiors,
Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery

1995 Heaven and Earth,
Axiom Arts Centre, Cheltenham

1995 Beyond The Surface,
Brewery Arts Centre, Cirencester

1994 Beyond the Surface,
International Arts Festival, Melbu, Norway

1990 Bergen Drawings,
Vestlandets Kunstakademi, Bergen, Norway

1989 Benjamin Rhodes Gallery,
London

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

1997 Artist in Residence
University of New South Wales, Australia

2002 Artist in Residence
University of New South Wales, Australia

2003 Artist in Residence
Seian University of Art and Design, Kyoto, Japan