Work of John Fowler
Sat/Sun 1st Mar to 27th Apr 11am-5pm. Open during the week by appointment.
John Fowler – Artist Statement:
My recent work is about uplands of northern Britain with some pieces looking at structures. Abandoned buildings in the Pennines, managed fells, farmland, venerable remnants of an industrial past both rural and metropolitan, all offer a rich source of inspiration.
I’m interested in the notion that the mundane can become extraordinary in the hands of a competent and interested painter. Narratives suggested in buildings, human histories in our landscapes. Andrew Wyeth, American artist mid 20th. century or our very own Northern artists like Maxwell Doig are great exponents of elevating the ordinary. Perhaps even George Shaw who painted the Leicester housing estate where he grew up in great and loving detail.
I have been painting more or less full time for about twenty five years following a career in design. I think this has influenced my drive to produce and innovate but, totally in contrast that marketing experience, I have been hopeless at establishing a consistent recognisable ‘brand’. I enjoy variety too much. Some say my paintings are recognisable enough.
My work practice and technique should speak for itself so I will spare you lengthy detail much of which is common to many artists anyway. Intriguingly it is the sum of the parts that combine to create a unique whole and make each piece of art a rewarding experience.
Working to my own schedule and agenda is, still, a great joy and I hope you will get as much pleasure from my paintings as I have in making them.
It is quite an honour to be represented in this wonderful gallery in the hills.
My thanks to Dennis Kilgallon.
You may be interested to know that I also have a presence in several other galleries. Notably Percy House in Cockermouth, Signature Gallery in Kendal and Bellwether Gallery near Bellingham. Sadly many other galleries I have exhibited in have not survived. Flaubert in Edinburgh and The Congregational in Rothbury are poignant examples, even the artists network that hosted annual exhibitions in open studio events has ceased to exist. It is wonderful that you can still enjoy and support this ‘gallery in the hills’.
